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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:The potential value of 'oriki' (praise poem) in settlement archaeology in Yorubaland
Author:Ogunfolakan, Adisa
Year:2002
Periodical:West African Journal of Archaeology
Volume:32
Issue:2
Pages:97-122
Language:English
Geographic term:Nigeria
Subjects:archaeology
praise poetry
Yoruba
Abstract:'Oriki', a variety of Yoruba poetry, is an aspect of literature that embodies one's antecedents, significant events that happened in one's life, one's profession and sociopolitical role, family achievements and the status of one's city or town. In Yorubaland, 'oriki' plays an important role in the preservation of the history and culture of the people. This paper demonstrates the potential value of 'oriki' in the identification, analysis and interpretation of historical landmarks and archaeological material in settlement sites in Yorubaland (Nigeria). As a case study, it uses the 'oriki' of the Tokuloje (a group of Yoruba people) in Ogbomoso South Local Government area of Oyo State to identify historical and cultural landmarks of archaeological importance, and to infer the possible material that could be retrieved during excavations in their abandoned settlement. Also, the 'oriki' of the Lujumo family of the ancient city of Ile-Ife is used to analyse archaeological material retrieved recently from the basement of the family house. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract]
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