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
Ethical Statement
Research ethics were strictly adhered to.
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N/A
Thanks
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 | |
| Submission Date | April 8, 2025 |
| Acceptance Date | October 10, 2025 |
| Early Pub Date | December 17, 2025 |
| Publication Date | December 17, 2025 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2025 Volume: 7 Issue: 2 |
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Dr. Senturk holds a BA in English Language and Literature from Kafkas University as the top student (class of 2010). Having pursued his MA studies in Postcolonial Literary and Cultural Studies at the University of Leeds in 2013, he received his PhD in English Literature from the University of Leicester, UK in 2019. Dr. Senturk was selected to represent the University of Leicester in a HeForShe United Nations project (2016-2019) against gender-based violence on campus. He was also the recipient of an award for "The Best Graduate Student Essay" contest organised by the Doris Lessing Society in 2017. His research interests lie in issues relating to gender, race and class in contemporary British fiction. He is specifically interested in critical social theory and critical literature pedagogy. He currently acts as the vice chair of the department, and as the deputy director in the School of Foreign Languages.
I have a PhD in English Literature and more than fifteen years of experience in various fields
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Dr. Senturk holds a BA in English Language and Literature from Kafkas University as the top student (class of 2010). Having pursued his MA studies in Postcolonial Literary and Cultural Studies at the University of Leeds in 2013, he received his PhD in English Literature from the University of Leicester, UK in 2019. Dr. Senturk was selected to represent the University of Leicester in a HeForShe United Nations project (2016-2019) against gender-based violence on campus. He was also the recipient of an award for "The Best Graduate Student Essay" contest organised by the Doris Lessing Society in 2017. His research interests lie in issues relating to gender, race and class in contemporary British fiction. He is specifically interested in critical social theory and critical literature pedagogy. He currently acts as the vice chair of the department, and as the deputy director in the School of Foreign Languages.
