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History of The Urhobo People of Niger Delta is the most comprehensive compilation and study of various aspects of the history of the Urhobo people of Nigeria's Niger Delta. It begins with an examination of the prehistory of the region, with particular focus on the Urhobo and their close ethnic neighbour, the Isoko. The book then embarks on a close assessment of the advent of British imperialism in the Western Niger Delta. History of The Urhobo People of Niger Delta also probes the arrival and impact of Western Christian missions in Urhoboland. Urhobo history is notable for the sharp challenges that the Urhobo people have faced at various points of their di?cult existence in the rainforest an...
The Urhobo peoples occupy the western fringe of the Niger River delta in southern Nigeria, an area rich with oil reserves. Since the 1970s, the petroleum industry has brought worldwide wealth and attention to Nigeria, but tragically has also detracted from broad-based economic progress as flow stations, flare-offs, drilling platforms and pipelines have proliferated. As rural economies suffered an inevitable decline, the custom of maintaining traditional Urhobo art has experienced a parallel atrophy. The resultant decline in Urhobo culture has prompted a response among many Urhobo who want to celebrate and preserve their traditions for future generations. The Museum for African Art in New Yor...
This is a pioneering work on Urhobo language, and since language is not the restricted domain of only scholars of linguistics, other aspects of the language or issues that impinge on language use are also discussed in this collection of essays by a eleven experts drawn from research institutes and universities. Since literature is a vehicle of language, the proverbs and axioms of the language as well as the oratorical and performance traditions in Urhobo are also covered competently. Other cultural aspects, especially music, are also seen as enhancers of the language. To underscore the significance of religion and language, some contributors here examine the relationship between the Urhobo l...
Poetry, Performance, and Art is the first transcribed and translated collection and study of the udje poetry of Nigeria's Urhobo people. Udje is an integrative performance of song and dance by specially costumed performers at annual festivals. Udje dance songs were used to establish and maintain social norms. In addition to being an important compilation and study of African indigenous poetry, this book profiles three of the greatest udje poets and performers. Ojaide also explores the history of udje, including its development and the modern factors threatening its survival. Poetry, Performance, and Art will be of great interest not only to students and scholars of African oral traditions, African literature, and African studies, but also to poets in general and scholars of comparative anthropology, cultural studies, folklore, literature, performance arts, and sociology. "His translations are among the best that have ever been attempted in African oral literature." -- Ode S. Ogede, Research in African Literature
Starting with the premise that literature and the arts are cultural productions, Tanure Ojaide finds using Western literary theory to judge African literary works to be missing the point. Using udje dance songs of Nigeria's Urhobo people as an example of Africa oral poetic performance, he argues that the main objective of these works of literature is to provoke laughter. He then relates his theory to the Africa diaspora, examining if African-American battle rap, Caribbean Calypso, music, rhetoric and other artistic productions exhibit the same features.
This unique book is the product of pioneering research carried out by scholars native to the Urhobo culture and language. Unlike many of the other major ethnic cultures in Nigeria, which were studied by Western anthropologist in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the Urhobo language and culture remained neglected. Studies in Urhobo Culture represents a comparatively new area of research, approached from an indigenous perspective. The result is a wide-ranging survey of Urhobo culture in Nigeria, offering diverse perspectives on topics such as: naming traditions and practices of the Urhobo; religious beliefs, values and movements; traditions of marriage; artistic productions, food and dre...
Olomu and Development of Urhoboland and Western Niger Delta offers fresh perspectives on the origin of the Urhobo people as well as the pre-historic development of their lands in Nigeria's Western Niger Delta. The book posits that the uninhabited rain forests of the central Western Niger Delta were conquered and developed by Edoid-speaking Urhobo migrants who took advantage of Iron Age implements that emerged from the transition from Late Stone Age to Early Iron Age some two thousand years ago in the West African region. The book postulates that the progenitors of the Urhobo people arrived in the Western Niger Delta through the waterways of Niger River and its tributaries and that they first...
This book is ideal for anyone who wants to learn or improve their Urbobo. The book will also help parents actively teaching their children the Urhobo language by providing a structured approach to the learning experience. The book covers the rudimentary aspects of learning the language and offers practice exercises which will aid the individual leaner or teacher. The sections on the book include: * Urhobo Alphabets* Urhobo Numerals* Urhobo Tone System* Urhobo Grammar* Speaking Urhobo* Learning New Words* Time and Day* Colours* I am a child of Urhobo Whether you are a learner or a teacher, you will find this book helpful.
The Untold Story of a Nigerian Royal Family presents the story of the Urhobo ruling family of Okpe Kingdom and its political power in Nigeria. It traces the origins and history of the Okpe people and their social and political organization. Topics include: - The Okpe revolution of the sixteenth century and the assassination of Esezi I - British Colonial rule of the kingdom, late 1800s-1960 - Civil war between the Okpe and Olomu of Itsekiri and the palm oil trade rivalry - Urhobo-Itsekiri collaboration in the slave trade, and slavery in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Okpe. - The political role played by traditional chiefs - Feminists who campaigned for women's rights to participate in the council of elders - The effort by HRH Esezi II to promote the democratic system of government within the Okpe council. - The story of the uncrowned king of Okpe Kingdom, including a brief history of the Nigerian Civil War of 1967-70 - The reign of HRH Orhoro I. - The story of the author's candidacy for Okpe King after the death of Orhoro I - Nigeria oil policy - Muslim-Christian strife and human rights abuses
The author of this book provides an in-depth case study of Urhobo traditional medicine, as practised in the earliest, pre-technological era. He considers definitions, taxonomy, causality, and therapy, as practised by the Urhobo progenitors and later their progeny. He argues that the Urhobo traditional medical system is gradually being eroded by the ageing and death of its custodians and practitioners. The book further investigates the use of incantations and ritual in both Urhobo and Western medical systems, and objectively examines people's claims about its efficacy. The author is a Doctor of Philosophy and a specialist in African traditional religion and culture.