Home> Archive> 2015> Volume 5 Number 6 (Jun. 2015)
IJSSH 2015 Vol.5(6): 578-582 ISSN: 2010-3646
DOI: 10.7763/IJSSH.2015.V5.521

Reincarnation in Ritual Display: A Discourse of the Alekwu Mythopoeia in Idoma Traditional Dramaturgy

Ted Anyebe

Abstract—This paper is the outcome of an indigenous study in theatre arts that was carried out in the traditional society of Idoma in central Nigeria. In this study, it was discovered that theatre is an active grid in the Idoma social and religious systems. Space, stage and the earth are fundamental elements that are very important aspects of Idoma theatre practice. This paper discusses the utilitarian values of ancestors in accomplishing life aspirations among the Idoma people. It has studied Idoma theatre both as media and as processes of articulating the link between worldview and everyday living systems. In carrying the research the paper employed a qualitative approach to methodology. We employed interviews, used available literatures and participation observation to collect the data for this research. The paper showed that theatre can serve as tool for social cohesion as well as source of historical records. It showed that apart from providing entertainment and recreation, theatre can contribute to social development through the sustenance of collective approach, which enhances teamwork and group participation to achieve supportive goals. The study found that many researchers have abandoned academic inquiry in traditional theatre studies. As a result, much research needs to be done particularly in the area of African masquerade theatres.

Index Terms—Reincarnation, space, masquerade, mythology.

Ted Anyebe is with the Department of Theatre Arts, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria (e-mail:anyebeted@gmail.com).

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Cite: Ted Anyebe, " Reincarnation in Ritual Display: A Discourse of the Alekwu Mythopoeia in Idoma Traditional Dramaturgy," International Journal of Social Science and Humanity vol. 5, no. 6, pp. 578-582, 2015.

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