INDIGENOUS WOMEN LITERATURE: A STUDY OF EKINRIN-ADDE TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE RITES
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Date
2021-03
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Federal University Birnin-Kebbi
Abstract
This paper examines the traditional marriage rites of Ekinrin–Adde as an indigenous art form performed for and by women to bring about social integration. Several studies have emerged on how women play peculiar roles in different areas of the society in Nigeria. However, there are artistic roles of women that feature prominently in the performance of the traditional marriage rites of the Ekinrin-Adde people which condition it as a resource material for research. Ekinrin-Adde community is in Ijumu local government area of Kogi State, North-Central Nigeria. In recent times, traditional marriage rites in many Nigerian communities have been modified and are perceived as mere social events. Many customary activities have been short changed or replaced. Meanwhile, a lot of artistic elements are inherent in every stage of these traditional marriage rites as there are in Ekinrin-Adde. The objective of this study therefore is to examine the artistic composition of traditional marriage rites in Ekinrin-Adde and the roles women play in the process to foster social integration. This work will employ two methods of research. The descriptive method; explaining the performance style of traditional marriage rites in Ekinrin-Adde and participant observation method through which this research will unveil every detail about the stages of performance of each of the rites. Facts about the origin, performance style, taboos and the effects the rites have on the society will be found out through this medium. Among other findings, this work discovers that traditional marriage rites in Ekinrin-Adde is highly dramatic and fosters social integration. The roles women play is not just artistic, they are also sociologically therapeutic. This study hereby recommends that scholars, researchers and critics should approach indigenous art forms of different Nigerian communities as literature, exploring performance theories and their effects on the society.