Creative dynamism and religious syncretism in Igbo oral funeral songs

Igbo oral funeral songs are dynamic and resilient oral forms. Applying the tenets of an infracultural model of ethnopoetics to study Igbo oral funeral songs collected during fieldwork, in this article, I examine the emerging trend in most Igbo communities of the co-existence, modification, and adapt...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Tydskrif vir letterkunde 2024-12, Vol.61 (2), p.45-58
Main Author: Nwosu, Onyebuchi
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Christian influence on oral tradition
creative dynamism
Igbo oral funeral songs
infracultural ethnopoetics
religious syncretism
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Summary:Igbo oral funeral songs are dynamic and resilient oral forms. Applying the tenets of an infracultural model of ethnopoetics to study Igbo oral funeral songs collected during fieldwork, in this article, I examine the emerging trend in most Igbo communities of the co-existence, modification, and adaptation of Christian/western ideals into the mainstream repertoire of Igbo oral funeral songs. I therefore examine a situation where Igbo oral performers are drawing inspiration from western religious, linguistic, and cultural philosophies and applying them to the trajectory of Igbo oral funeral poetry. Observing that the reason for this is to accord the deceased a befitting funeral rite, I underscore the resilience of Igbo oral funeral poetry which acculturates western cultural elements into its oral funeral performances which are deployed to help reduce the pain of bereavement and assist the dead to successfully find their way as they journey to join their ancestors. 
ISSN:0041-476X
2309-9070
DOI:10.17159/tl.v61i2.15967