Oríkì and the making of an African sociologist: Akìwọwọ (Ifá priest who recites Ifá divination texts profusely by rote like pouring rain). Issue 3 (3rd July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Abiodun, Rowland
• Is Part Of: Journal of contemporary African studies. Volume 39:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 330
• Page End: 339
• Publication Date: 2021-07-03
• Subjects: Yorùbá -- oríkì -- sociology -- Africa; Africa -- Periodicals; Africa -- Civilization -- Periodicals; Africa -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; 960
• DOI: 10.1080/02589001.2020.1864818
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0258-9001

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Chief J.A. Ayọrinde explains that 'all chiefs and prominent personalities have oríkì describing their character and achievements, which serve, as it were, as their "signature tunes" to announce their approach or presence', and indeed that 'no child is given a name without being given an oríkì, which is an important adjunct to any name … ' The fact that Western academic traditions have not recognised the place of oríkì in the retrieval of the histories and accomplishments of Yorùbá intellectuals should not lead us to conclude that Yorùbá society thinks that they are anonymous. A Yorùbá òwe (dramatic figures of speech) points us in the right direction: Àńkì í Àńsà á Ó ní òun ò mẹni tókú Ońgbọ́ 'ikú mẹ́rù Ọ̀pàgá Abisutabíòdòdó Alábàọkà Arokofẹ́yẹjẹ' O ní 'Àgbẹ̀ lókú ni tàbí ọ̀nájà?' Translation: We recite someone's oríkì We intone his attributes But an ignorant person says he does not know who has died. He hears 'Death has taken a renowned man A titled man Whose-yams-spread-like-petals Who-possesses-a-barn-of-corn Whose-fields-are-a-bounty-for-birds, ' The [ignorant] person still asks 'Is the dead man a farmer or a trader?' (Owomoyela 2005 96)