ISBN 9789780231583
Pages 272
Dimensions 216 x 140 mm
Published 2005
Publisher Malthouse Press, Nigeria
Format Paperback

Battles of Songs

Udje Tradition of the Urhobo

by G. G. Darah

This is a study of the principal aspects of the Udje tradition Á poetry, dance and music Á of the Udu and Aghievwen divisions of the Urhobo of Delta State, Nigeria. It defines the territorial scope of the study, surveys Udu and Ughievwen social history, and situates Udje within the context of the Urhobo song-poetry tradition; reviews the theoretical perspectives on the practice of satire in the Udje dance-songs, and considers the conceptual views of some Udje practitioners of Udje, both as a literary art and as a medium for social reform; and attempts to classify and describe Udje songs. The concluding chapters consider the decline of the Udje tradition and the satirical song-poetry tradition in Urhobo, reviewing how post 1960s trends are likely to affect the artistic integrity of Udje in the future.

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About the Author

G. G. Darah

G.G. Darah is Professor of Literature in English at Delta State University and a specialist in African literature and folklore. He has taught at Obafemi Awolowo University and was Chairman of the Board of the Guardian Newspaper (Nigeria).

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