Ebibi Festival: A Critical Appraisal of Performance and Thematic Relevance to African Societies

African festivals provide opportunities for socialisation and communal gathering to promote unity and peaceful co-existence among people of same cultural bias and interest. Ebibi, a festival in Owu-ljebu is in focus as one out of many expressions of cultural heritage among the Yorubas of Western Nigeria. In this light, this article examines Ebibi festival from a thematic perspective and its relevance to communal life. Apart from being an avenue for celebrating a rich cultural heritage; investigations were made into how Ebibi transcends the physical to become a spiritual product developed over time to perform religious, economic and social roles. To ascertain the authenticity of data collected, oral interviews, discussions and visits to scenes connected to performance were employed. Also, retrieval of archival documents such as pictures, video clips and other relevant items used during performance were available for appraisal and close study. All these efforts are geared towards ascertaining and establishing the role of Ebibi festival to life and living of the people of Owu-ljebu and African societies at large. Forthwith, observations and suggestions are made to revitalise and re-position Ebibi festival for continuity, preservation and promotion of this rich cultural practice beyond Owu-ljebu community.

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