SUPERNATURALITY OF WOMEN IN NIGERIAN FILMS: A STUDY OF OLATUNJI BALOGUN'S YEMOJA
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Date
2025-04
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Department of Theatre and Media Arts, Federal University Oye-Ekiti,Ekiti, Nigeria.
Abstract
This study examines the portrayal of women as possessing supernatural powers in Nigerian cinema, by specifically analysing the character of Yemoja as depicted in Olatunji Balogun's film titled, Yemoja. Even though existing studies have explored the supernaturality of women in African ritual performances, festivals, and theatrical traditions, the manifestations of women’s supernaturality in contemporary Nigerian films have remained under-explored. The aim of this study therefore is to examine the supernaturality of women in Yemoja with a view to identifying the attributes and characteristics of women’s supernaturality displayed in the film.
Through content analysis and connotative observation methods of gathering data, Yemoja's supernatural attributes and strong connection with human characters are ultimately established. Oyeronke Olajubu’s theory of African feminist mythology is adopted as the framework for this study. Findings suggest that, while potentially reinforcing certain cultural beliefs, the film also offers a nuanced portrayal of female power, showcasing women as both human and divine. This study recommends a continuous exploration and documentation of feminist supernaturality in Nigerian films. The study contributes to a growing body of scholarship that examines the diverse and complex representations of women and the supernatural in African cinema, thereby expanding our understanding of female agency and its significance within these narratives.
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Alarinjo: JournalofTheatre and Media Arts