Paper short abstract:

This abstract explores the cultural and spiritual significance of Oriki, a form of traditional praise poetry, among the Yoruba people in southwestern Nigeria. Focusing on panegyrics, the study delves into how Oriki serves as a spiritual text, intertwining linguistic artistry with religious beliefs.

Paper long abstract:

Current studies on Oriki within the Yoruba cultural context have primarily explored its cultural and historical aspects, neglecting its literary and linguistic properties, especially its spiritual signifiers. While Oriki is acknowledged as traditional praise poetry, its nuanced language and literary devices connecting to spiritual meanings remain understudied. This research addresses this gap by scrutinizing the linguistic and literary dimensions of Oriki, emphasizing its spiritual significance within the broader cultural context.

The aim is to unravel Oriki's literary and linguistic properties, focusing on its spiritual signifiers. The study contributes to understanding how Oriki functions as a spiritual text within Yoruba cultural practices, emphasizing linguistic elements carrying profound religious connotations.

Employing literary analysis and linguistic scrutiny, the research method draws from linguistic studies, literary analysis, and cultural anthropology. This comprehensive approach uncovers literary techniques, metaphors, and linguistic nuances embedded in Oriki, exploring their role in conveying spiritual meanings within the Yoruba cultural context.

The findings illuminate Oriki's rich literary and linguistic tapestry, showcasing its role as a spiritual text. Specific linguistic choices and literary devices act as gateways to the spiritual realm, deepening our understanding of language, literature, and spirituality intertwining. The study's significance lies in contributing to linguistic and cultural studies, offering insights into preserving spiritual beliefs through linguistic expressions within traditional societies.