Exploring the Potential of Praise Poems for Historical Reconstruction among the Idepe-Ikale in Southeastern Yorubaland

Abstract

Abstract:The existing body of literature on the origin of the Idepe-Ikale suggests a Benin provenance and an ethno-cultural identity for the generality of the Idepe-Ikale. This paper argues that this claim has largely been sustained by the excessive reliance on archival sources for the reconstruction Ikale pre-colonial history. It, therefore, draws primarily on evidence from praise poems and partly from historical linguistics and ethnography in its examination of the ethnic identity of the Idepe-Ikale, a major Ikale sub-group in southeastern Yorubaland. With this methodological shift, the paper establishes the fact that culturally and linguistically, the Idepe-Ikale are of the Yoruba ethnic stock rather than of Benin extraction. Thus, the paper casts doubts on the prevailing consensus on Idepe's Benin origin and identity and concludes that palace promoted and colonial-backed constructions of ethnic identities should be thoroughly scrutinised to correct mistaken notions about identity formation.

The Yorùbá’s Peacefulness Enhanced by an Informal Peace Education

“…The Yorùbá are a large ethnic group with a distinctive language and culture that are found in southwest Nigeria, some other parts of West Africa, Cuba, and South America. Many scholars have written about this (Falola & Heaton, 2008;Falola, 2006;Eltis, 2004;Roberts, 2004;Law, 1991;Olupna, 1993;Atanda, 1996;Parrinder, 1947;Parrinder, 1959;Abiodun, 2001;Ogen, 2007). The idea of peacefulness in connection with southwest Nigeria where the Yorùbá are densely populated began to come to limelight by late 19 th and early 20 th century.…”