Yorùbá Performatives, Social-Media Involvement and Creativity: A Retrogression or Positive Transformation?

Abstract

Among the people of Southwestern Nigeria, Oríkì in a broad perspective is one of the Yorùbá orature, flexible in use at different contexts of ceremonial events. Therefore, this study takes into consideration the relevance and the use of Oríkì performative art as a form of Yorùbá presentation with its fluidity and context of use. However, taking a critical survey of the Yorùbá orature as an art, the paper reviews its presentation forms, structure, features, and people involved in the art, prior to, and currently in this modern age. This is with a mind to interrogating the use of Yorùbá Oríkì art as evident on social-media platforms, and its transformative shift from what it was in the indigenous settings. The source(s) of data for this study shall include social-media platforms such as the Facebook, Instagram, Tik-Tok, U-Tube, and WhatsApp among others, while other relevant information shall be extracted through print journals, and interview which is gender sensitive of selected artists, performers, and a sizeable number of users of the platforms. While interrogating the effects of the use of Oríkì on social-media platforms, the paper further examines the level of creativity of youths in the use of Yorùbá performative arts as a source of solving socio-economic issues and socio-cultural relevance as aided by technology. The paper attempts to answer some queries of retrogression or positive transformation of the art and how it improves the lives of people. Issues of fixed form and fluidity of some Yorùbá orature, as found classified in works of scholars (Olatunji (1974), Barber (1980), Ogúndèjì (1991) among others shall be reviewed duly. Reception and Socio-cultural theories shall premise the theoretical framework for proper analysis. The study with copious data and analysis, showcases the relevance of the upsurge of youths’ involvement, and interest in engaging social media platforms for the promotion and preservation of Orikì arts through live or recorded performances. The study concludes with a view that as nefarious as some posts on social media platforms may be, the same social media platform continue to create outlet for youths to booster their socio-cultural and socio-economic essence. Through several important tools that are available technology is enabled on social media, youths are further encouraged to engage the platforms to transform life positively, shape life better, towards becoming the best to the public space, and for promotion and preservation of culture to the world at large.

Keywords:Yorùbá orature, Social-media platforms, Creativity, Youths and Yorùbá Cultural promotion

DOI: 10.7176/NMMC/111-01

Publication date: January 30^th 2025