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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Osun Festival and Fertility: A Celebration in Yoruba Mythology
Author:Adejumo, A.B.
Year:1989
Periodical:Africana Marburgensia
Volume:22
Issue:2
Pages:45-52
Language:English
Geographic term:Nigeria
Subjects:Yoruba
traditional festivals
myths (form)
Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups)
Religion and Witchcraft
Fertility and Infertility
Cultural Roles
Abstract:Although it seems unnatural for myths to exist in the form of a chronology, a pattern of stages indicates interrelation. For example, it is possible that mythology 'per se' passes through a stage to become history (for example, the founding of Oshogbo town). At the third stage, mythological history becomes folktale (for example, how Osun, the goddess, heals the barren worshippers). At the final stage, folklore is utilized to form literary tales. Four myths of the Yoruba goddess Osun, two dealing with origin or history and the other two dealing with folklore ('The goddess without ears', 'The Sango myth', 'Osun, founding mother of Oshogbo', and 'The fish') are narrated as they relate to the people of Oshogbo, a Yoruba town some two hundred miles north of coastal Lagos in Nigeria. The purpose of the narration of the myths is to show the ampleness of the 'unity of feeling' generated by the mythic expression of Osun ancestral worship, in a nutshell, a celebration in Yoruba mythology. A description of the celebration of the Osun festival is included in the article. Notes, ref.
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