The preservation of Yoruba tradition through hunters' funeral dirges

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Periodical article

Title:	The preservation of Yoruba tradition through hunters' funeral dirges
Author:	Ajuwon, Bade
Year:	1980
Periodical:	Africa: Journal of the International African Institute
Volume:	50
Issue:	1
Pages:	66-72
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Nigeria
Subjects:	Yoruba death rites
External links:	https://www.jstor.org/stable/1158643 https://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pao:&rft_dat=xri:pao:article:4011-1980-050-00-000006
Abstract:	Yoruba hunters' funeral dirges, known as ìrèmòjé, are type of lament credited with a divine origin and performed as part of a rite of passage for deceased hunters from earth to heaven. Funeral dirges are no doubt intended primarily to celebrate the loss and fame of a particular departed hunter. However, the dirges also often allude to traditional ideas and concepts on which Yoruba customs and practices are based, such as commonly used tools, traditional professions. clothing, dances, morals and social norms, and the height of the performance is when the past is poetically brought to life again in the present, and the present projected into the future. This didactic function is one of the most significant merits of ìrèmòjé performance. Notes, ref., French sum.