MAJOR THEMES IN OGBA SATIRICAL AND PANEGYRIC SONGS: A LITERARY PERSPECTIVE

ABSTRACT: Oral poetry in all cultures could generally be said to be song. In introducing BEOWULF, the longest surviving old English poem, the first great English work in the oral primary epic mode, the reciter describes it as song. In fact poetry, even in the written form, cannot exist outside music, melody and rhythm for the musical impulse often forms the base of poetic composition. Oral literature is a pleasurable form of communication communally owned and orally transmitted in a face-to-face contact. On this premise, this study explores a corpus of thirteen satirical and praise songs. Relying on Dennis Tedlock’s and Dell Hymes’ ethnopoetic theory, the paper examines the literary perspective of the qualities and social relevance of the songs. The paper reveals that occasion and performance are the hallmark of Ogba satirical and praise songs through which the rendition of these songs serve for the purgation of pent-up emotions. The paper further provides taxonomy of Ogba oral literature which will enhance the understanding and appreciation of Ogba oral literature. The paper concludes that Ogba satirical and panegyric songs will serve for commemoration of events in Ogba kingdom. The paper recommends the use of the songs in the rural communities in order to instil moral and ethical behaviour in the society. Sequel to the social significance of the songs is the huge contribution to scholarship.

KEY WORDS: Major Themes, Satirical, Panegyric, Literary, Perspective.