Semiotic analysis of Yorùbá written poetry. "Orin Ewúro" by Àtàrí Àjànàkú

Table of Content

Chapter 1 Introduction

1.1 Background to the Study

1.2 Statement of the Problem

1.3 Objective of the Study

1.4 Research Questions

1.5 Significance of the Study

1.6 Scope of the Study

1.7 Research Methodology

1.8 Limitation of the Study

Chapter 2 THE THEORETICAL BACKGROUND AND LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 The Sociological Importance of Poetry

2.2 The Place of Semiotics in Literary Criticism

2.3 The Review of Existing Literature on Orin Ewúro

Chapter 3 THE SEMIOTIC ANALYSIS OF ORIN EWÚRO I

3.1 Natural Signs

3.1.1 Ewúro (Bitter leaf: Vernonia amygdalina)

3.1.2 Òṣùpá (The Moon)

3.1.3 Èèbù (Yam Seedling)

3.1.4 Main Division of the Day and their Correspondence to Human Life Stages (kùtù hàı/ àarọ́, ıyà lẹ́ta, òòrùn kàntàrí and ọjọ́ rọ̀)

3.1.5 Ọyẹ́ (Harmattan Season)

3.2 Socio-Cultural Signs

3.2.1 Behavioural Code: Àgbà Lańgbá (An Irresponsible Elder)

3.2.2 Commodity Code: Agbọ̀n (A basket)

3.2.3 Behavioural Code: Orogún (A Rival)

3.2.4 Commodity Code: Àràbà (A white silk cotton tree)

3.2.5 Behavioural Code: ‘Ìjankúkujàn’ (A disastrous fall)

3.3 Political Signs

3.3.1 Awòran Ìgbà: The Picture of the Time/Period

3.3.2 Ẹkùn, Ológbò and Èkúte (Leopard, cat and mouse)

3.3.3 Bàba Igi dá and Bàba alábaṣà (The Destructive Fathers/Leaders)

3.3.4 Aláṣọ Dúdú, and Oníkakí (The Wearer of Black cloth and the Wearer of Khaki)

3.3.5 Àdán (A bat)

3.4 Economic Signs

3.4.1 Ẹgúnjẹ and Àgúnmu (Bribe and panacea of the society)

3.4.2 Wàrà, Oyin, Mùdùnmúdùn, Omi, Epo and Ìyeyè (Milk, honey, marrow, water, oil and spondias monbin)

3.4.3 Àdáàkó Àjọ (Unclaimed daily contribution)

3.4.4 Kòkòrò (An insect)

3.4.5 Mu ẹ̀kọ, gbé ẹsẹ̀, ya aràrà (Drinking pap, to take steps and become a dwarf)

Chapter 4 THE SEMIOTIC ANALYSIS OF ORIN EWÚRO II

4.1 Religious Signs

4.1.1 Traditional Religious Signs

4.1.2 Christian Religious Signs

4.2 Educational Signs

4.2.1 Ọwọ́ Ọtún and Ọwọ́ Òsì (Right and left hands)

4.2.2 Odù Imọ̀ (A database of knowledge)

4.2.3 Àràbà, Àkàsọ̀ ımọ̀, Ewé ńla, and Ìtẹ́ àga and ımọ̀ (A white silk cotton tree, a ladder of knowledge, a big leaf, a throne and a throne of knowledge)

4.2.4 Abẹ́rẹ́ Ahọ́n (A Niddle of Tongue)

4.2.5 Ìkòrò and Iṣın Wẹ̀wẹ́ (The big fish and the fingerlings)

4.3 Literary Aesthetic Signs

4.3.1 Adaptation of Oral Genre

4.3.2 The Use of Symbolic Wordplay

4.3.3 The Use of Structural Repetition

4.3.4 Multiple Uses of Rhetorical Questions

4.3.5 Addressing an Imaginary Audience and Object

4.4 Non-Literary Aesthetic Signs

4.4.1 The Illustration of an Elephant at the Front of the Front Cover Page

4.4.2 The Illustration of “Awòran Ìgbà” (The Contemporary Time)

4.4.3 The Illustration of ‘Ẹgúnjẹ ò ba nǹkan jẹ́’ (Ẹgúnjẹ spoils nothing)

4.4.4 The Illustration of Bàbá Igi Dá Ìyá Ẹyẹ Fò (Carefree father, Neglectful)

4.4.5 The Illustration of Àjọ Àdáàkó (The daily unretrievable money contribution)

Chapter 5 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Summary

5.2 Conclusion

5.3 Findings and Contributions to Knowledge

5.4 Recommendation

Objectives and Research Themes

The primary objective of this study is to conduct a detailed semiotic analysis of Àtàrí Àjànàkú’s poetry collection Orin Ewúro, aiming to decode the underlying messages embedded within the text. The research explores how the poet utilizes various linguistic and non-linguistic signs to comment on the socio-political, cultural, and economic realities of contemporary Nigeria.

• Exploration of natural and socio-cultural symbolism in Yorùbá poetry.
• Analysis of the poet's use of satire and invective to criticize socio-political conditions.
• Investigation into the adaptation of traditional oral genres within written poetry.
• Critical examination of non-literary aesthetic signs, including artistic illustrations within the collection.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

Chapter 1 Introduction: Provides the background and objectives of the study, defining the scope and research methodology used to investigate Àtàrí Àjànàkú’s poetry.

Chapter 2 THE THEORETICAL BACKGROUND AND LITERATURE REVIEW: Discusses the sociological importance of poetry and the role of semiotics in literary criticism as the framework for the study.

Chapter 3 THE SEMIOTIC ANALYSIS OF ORIN EWÚRO I: Analyzes the first set of signs found in the collection, categorized into natural, socio-cultural, political, and economic classifications.

Chapter 4 THE SEMIOTIC ANALYSIS OF ORIN EWÚRO II: Continues the examination of signs, focusing on religious, educational, and aesthetic categories, including literary and non-literary artistic illustrations.

Chapter 5 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Summarizes the findings of the research, draws final conclusions, and provides recommendations for further academic exploration of Yorùbá poetry.

Keywords

Semiotics, Orin Ewúro, Yorùbá poetry, sign, signification, socio-political, natural signs, literary aesthetics, oral traditions, cultural interpretation, symbolism, linguistic analysis, Nigeria, imagery, rhetoric.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core focus of this research?

This research provides a semiotic analysis of Àtàrí Àjànàkú’s poetry collection Orin Ewúro to uncover the hidden meanings and symbolic messages conveyed by the poet regarding the Nigerian society.

What are the central thematic areas covered in the analysis?

The analysis covers a wide spectrum of themes including social justice, political corruption, educational attainment, traditional religious practices, economic conditions, and the role of the poet as a social critic.

What is the primary objective of this work?

The study aims to move beyond superficial readings of the poems to identify the layered meanings contained within the signs and symbols used by the poet to address contemporary societal issues.

Which methodology is employed in this research?

The work utilizes structuralist semiotics and a sociological approach to literature, interpreting the poetic signs through the lens of the Yorùbá worldview and the broader context of Nigerian history.

What is discussed in the main body of the work?

The main body systematically classifies signs—such as natural, political, economic, and religious—and conducts an in-depth analysis of their specific functions and implications within the individual poems.

Which keywords define this work?

Key terms include Semiotics, Orin Ewúro, Yorùbá poetry, sign, signification, and social commentary, reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of the analysis.

How does the author interpret the significance of the "Ewúro" plant?

The author argues that Ewúro serves as a central metaphor in the collection, where its bitter taste represents the "bitter truth" the poet brings to clean the societal misdeeds, ultimately leading to a sweeter, more positive outcome.

What role do the non-literary illustrations play in the book?

The illustrations are analyzed as visual icons that complement the verbal messages, serving as humorous yet satirical representations of the corruption and hardships described in the textual poems.