For the Yoruba people, the Oriki isn’t a new thing especially when you have spent part of your life in a rural Yoruba community. But to other people who aren’t aware, the Yoruba people have what many may regard as a rare song sang on special occasions. It is called the Oriki.
What is an oriki?
Oriki (meaning to cite one’s origin) is a peculiar adjunct to any name. It can best be described as a praise name, cognomen or a nickname which describes a person’s character, the circumstances surrounding the birth of that person, or what that person is hoped to become. The oriki may be given at the naming ceremony of a child or later after the child is studied. Oriki isn’t just meant for individuals. Lineages also have their own Oriki which is called oriki orile.
Talking about naming ceremonies, check out this one…
Is Oriki important?
To some, yes. To the others, no.
In Yoruba land, all chiefs and prominent personalities have oriki which is used to describe their character and achievements, which serves as it were, signature tunes to announce their approach or presence. Oriki may sometimes be very long and boring (which it usually is), but no matter how boring it is, it is important to historians. Afterall, one man’s food is another man’s poison.
One peculiar thing about Oriki is that it is recited by several categories of people and performed in different styles such as the following…
- Ijala ode – The style of the hunter’s guild.
- Ewi – The style of the Egbado Yoruba.
- Esa – The style of the Egungun of the Labala group.
- Ege – The style of the Owu and the Egba people.
- Rara – The style in Ibadan and Oyo, sung by both men and women but more especially by women during celebrations such as title takings.
- Efe – The style of the Egbado people and Ijio people of Oyo.
The singers usually sing the oriki accompanied with talking drums. The oriki is also performed with the Omo Oluwo Alagbede (the traditional blacksmiths hammer).
The singers of oriki often occupy vantage positions in the courts of the Yoruba obas. They start singing immediately they see any personality entering the Obas court. This notifies the Oba of the presence of such a person in his palace.
Credit: Sources of Yoruba History. Edited By S. O Biobaku. University Press Limited, Ibadan.
interesting post . . . didn't know there were so many ways of reciting an oriki. My book Yetunde: An Ode to My Mother, has a mother's oriki in it
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