Yoruba Praise Poetry: A Linguistic Socio-Cultural Exploration of Oriki Yeye Osun

M. Jamiu Oloko; Abduganiyu Aderemi Yusuff; A. Afred Fatuase

Yoruba Praise Poetry: A Linguistic Socio-Cultural Exploration of Oriki Yeye Osun

Abstract

This study explores the socio-cultural functions and linguistic features of Yoruba praise poetry also known as Oriki. Yoruba praise poetry is a lyrical poem used to praise a god or a person and is usually accompanied by drumming and performance. It is embedded with enriched lyrical and flowery languages that are complex such as idioms, proverbs and figurative expressions. It is against this background that this paper examines Yoruba praise poetry beyond its dominant lyrical and entertainment consideration to focus more on these proverbial and figurative expressions from rhetorical-stylistic perspective. Yoruba praise poetry of Osun otherwise known as Oriki Osun constitute the primary data for the study. This praise poetry in honour of the goddess of Osun is usually rendered during Osun Osogbo festival. The recorded lyrics of Oriki Osun were extracted from the internet. Face to face interview was also used to collect information from professional praise chanters and those who are knowledgeable in the history of the river goddess of Osun. The study dwells much on the people’s culture and give detailed explanations using the collection and documentation method. The study reveals that the depth of Yoruba oral poetry is best represented by the Oríkì Yeye Òṣun, which combines rhythm, diction, symbolism, and intertextuality. Together, its artistic and rhetorical components honour Yeye Òṣun by highlighting her qualities and reaffirming her highly esteemed status in the culture. Keywords: Praise, Yeye, Osun, flowery, language

Keywords

Supporting Institution

N/A

Ethical Statement

Research ethics were strictly adhered to.

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Thank you for the platform which allows researchers to showcase their findings.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

World Languages, Literature and Culture (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

M. Jamiu Oloko This is me
0009-0002-1247-9306
Nigeria

Abduganiyu Aderemi Yusuff ^*
0009-0005-3592-091X
Nigeria

A. Afred Fatuase This is me
0009-0005-0528-6727
Nigeria

Early Pub Date

December 17, 2025

Publication Date

December 17, 2025

Submission Date

April 8, 2025

Acceptance Date

October 10, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 7 Number: 2

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA67JD72NE

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Oloko, M. J., Yusuff, A. A., & Fatuase, A. A. (2025). Yoruba Praise Poetry: A Linguistic Socio-Cultural Exploration of Oriki Yeye Osun. Eurasian Journal of English Language and Literature, 7(2), 56-77. https://izlik.org/JA67JD72NE

AMA

1.Oloko MJ, Yusuff AA, Fatuase AA. Yoruba Praise Poetry: A Linguistic Socio-Cultural Exploration of Oriki Yeye Osun. EJELL. 2025;7(2):56-77. https://izlik.org/JA67JD72NE

Chicago

Oloko, M. Jamiu, Abduganiyu Aderemi Yusuff, and A. Afred Fatuase. 2025. “Yoruba Praise Poetry: A Linguistic Socio-Cultural Exploration of Oriki Yeye Osun”. Eurasian Journal of English Language and Literature 7 (2): 56-77. https://izlik.org/JA67JD72NE.

EndNote

Oloko MJ, Yusuff AA, Fatuase AA (December 1, 2025) Yoruba Praise Poetry: A Linguistic Socio-Cultural Exploration of Oriki Yeye Osun. Eurasian Journal of English Language and Literature 7 2 56–77.

IEEE

[1]M. J. Oloko, A. A. Yusuff, and A. A. Fatuase, “Yoruba Praise Poetry: A Linguistic Socio-Cultural Exploration of Oriki Yeye Osun”, EJELL, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 56–77, Dec. 2025, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA67JD72NE

ISNAD

Oloko, M. Jamiu - Yusuff, Abduganiyu Aderemi - Fatuase, A. Afred. “Yoruba Praise Poetry: A Linguistic Socio-Cultural Exploration of Oriki Yeye Osun”. Eurasian Journal of English Language and Literature 7/2 (December 1, 2025): 56-77. https://izlik.org/JA67JD72NE.

JAMA

1.Oloko MJ, Yusuff AA, Fatuase AA. Yoruba Praise Poetry: A Linguistic Socio-Cultural Exploration of Oriki Yeye Osun. EJELL. 2025;7:56–77.

MLA

Oloko, M. Jamiu, et al. “Yoruba Praise Poetry: A Linguistic Socio-Cultural Exploration of Oriki Yeye Osun”. Eurasian Journal of English Language and Literature, vol. 7, no. 2, Dec. 2025, pp. 56-77, https://izlik.org/JA67JD72NE.

Vancouver

1.M. Jamiu Oloko, Abduganiyu Aderemi Yusuff, A. Afred Fatuase. Yoruba Praise Poetry: A Linguistic Socio-Cultural Exploration of Oriki Yeye Osun. EJELL [Internet]. 2025 Dec. 1;7(2):56-77. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA67JD72NE