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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:The Role of the Igede Poet Micah Ichegbeh's Adiyah Songs in the Political and Moral Education of His Local Audiences
Author:Ogede, Ode S.ISNI
Year:1993
Periodical:African Languages and Cultures
Volume:6
Issue:1
Pages:49-68
Language:English
Geographic term:Nigeria
Subjects:Igede
oral poetry
literature
Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups)
Literature, Mass Media and the Press
About person:Micah Ichegbeh
External link:https://www.jstor.org/stable/1771764
Abstract:This article examines the way in which the oral poet Micah Ichegbeh employs the so-called 'Adiyah' poetry, a form of poetry which incorporates proverbs, masquerades, dialogue, riddles, mimicry, spectacle, and song, in an attempt to influence the pattern of political and moral life of his people, the Igede of Benue State, Nigeria. The author focuses primarily on Ichegbeh's rendition of an Igede legendary tale, 'The history of Igede', an account of a war the ancestral fathers of the Igede fought with a 'fair-skinned' people known as Ora. This song, together with some other songs about contemporary political events in Nigeria, were recorded in 1981 during a performance by Ichegbeh and his ensemble. The author shows how Ichegbeh uses the acrimony, political vendetta, hostility, petty rivalry and hate that typify the events he sings about, to teach his audience the virtues of moderation, tolerance, love, understanding, and solidarity as life principles that could be extended to the political field. Bibliogr., notes, ref.
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