ABSTRACT
This
research work is to focus attention on impact of education on Opa-Oguru
festival in the life of Emure Ekiti community.
It
is quite true that Opa-Oguru festival in Emure Ekiti is performed to correct
ills in the society. It is a social festival that is against the evil doings of
Emure citizens.
The
festival is performed once in a year during the 6th month of the
year. The most important people that feature in the festival are Chief Oloekun,
Olotu Igbamo, Ajaka and Oloture. Before the commencement of the festival, there
should be a sacrifice offered by the king. It is mostly performed by the
Igbamo, the age grades. The festival brings about educational, socio-political
and economic progress in the town with the support of the priests and all the
people that are directly connected with the festival.
TABLE OF CONTENT
Title
page
Certification
Dedication
Acknowledgement
Abstract
CHAPTER ONE
Introduction
Background
of the study
Purpose
of the study
Significance
of the study
Delimitation
of the study
Scope
of the study
Research
Question
Definition
of key terms
CHAPTER TWO
Review
of Related Literature
Historical
Background of Emure Ekiti
African
and Traditional Religion
General
pattern of African Traditional Religion
CHAPTER THREE
Research
Methodology
Population
and Sample
Administration
of Instrument and Data collection
Method
of Data Analysis
CHAPTER FOUR
Result
and Discussion
Analysis
of Research Question
Discussion
of findings
CHAPTER FIVE
Summary,
Conclusion and Recommendation
Summary
Conclusion
Recommendation
Suggestion
for further studies
References
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background to the study
African traditional religious plays an
important role in the life of the Yoruba society. It has been in existence
before the introduction of Islam and Christianity religions into our society.
African traditional religion is the
study of people that are in all things religious with this; they apply
religious to the social, economic, education, intellectual and spiritual life.
Also African traditional religious
offers opportunity for the indigenous sons and daughters of a particular
community including Muslims and Christians of home and abroad to come together
at least once in a year.
And this gives rise to enlightenment
of each other of educational and economic level. African traditional religion
brings about social life and makes no rigid destination between the sacred and
life. It also brings about unity and fellowship in which non-members of the
religion have opportunity for active participation in the social activities,
there are many traditional festival of which Opa-Oguru is most important and
colourful for its socio-cultural education and economic significance and
important.
Purpose of the study
The purpose of carrying out this
research is to let the general readers be aware that Opa-Oguru festival is a
social festival which contributes to the socio-cultural development of the
entire Emure community.
Some researchers who had written on this
festival based their research on the musical aspect only but the festival both
on social and educational aspect of the festival.
Significance of the study
The findings of this study will be
very useful most especially in the following areas.
The study would discuss in details the
moral life of Emure community. It will also let the surroundings communities
know and understand the don’ts of Emure Ekiti.
Delimitation of the study
However, the research faced a lot of
problem during the collection of information and interviewing the people who
are directly connected with Opa-Oguru festival in Emure Ekiti.
Most of the information was
illiterates and they were very old ad which they almost lost their memories.
The
old age also prevents them from giving practical demonstration of important
aspect of the festival.
Scope of the study
The
research is limited to Emure Ekiti community only even though the researcher is
aware of the surrounding communities where similar festivals are being
celebrated, but that of Emure Ekiti is quite unique with the community and its
environment.
Research Questions
The
following research questions would be addressed in the study:
1. What is the origin of Opa-Oguru
festival in Emure Ekiti?
2. What is the significance of the
festival in the life of Emure Ekiti community?
3. What is the relationship between the
festival and the western Asia culture i.e. Christianity and Islam?
4. What are the roles of Opa-Oguru
priests during the festival?
Definition of key Terms
OPA-OGURU
– This is a social festival performed in Emure Ekiti to correct evil practices
of the citizens
IGBO
OWA – A village near Emure Ile.
OSE
REE – Baoba tree in front of Elemure palace which the people dance around for
about seven times before performing the festival rituals.
UPE –
Traditional trumpet used to assemble the people and also to he-raid the
approach of the festival. It is blown for 14days before the commencement of the
festival.
OGURU
– This is a rock where Emure people escaped through during Erele war, between
Emure community and Igbobin people.
OBA
Okirikisi Omo Otaninmosoye – This is the title given to the first king of Emure
Ekiti town when they were coming from Ugbo-Owa to settle in their present abode
or settlement.
