An examination of female ritual authority in oya festival in Oyo town.
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Date
2024
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Department of Religious Studies, Faculty of Arts, Obafemi Awolowo University.
Abstract
This study focused on the examination of female ritual authority in Ọya festival, Oyo town. The study examined the history of Ọya festival in Ọ̀yọ́ town, it also discussed the spirituality of female ritual power as exhibited by the Ìyá-ọya (chief priestess) and Arugbá (votary maid). Furthermore, this was done with a view to evaluated the significance of Ọya festival for women in Yoruba indigenous tradition.
This study employed both primary and secondary sources of data. The primary source included oral interviews and participant observation. The oral interviews were conducted with 14 purposively selected respondents which included; the Ìyá-ọya (chief priestess), Arugbá (votary maid), six Ọya devotees (3 males and 3 females), and six indigenes of Ọ̀yọ́ town who were conversant with Ọya (3 males and 3 females). The secondary source included books, journal articles, and materials surfed on the Internet. The data collected was analysed using phenomenological approach.
The study discovered that Ọya festival has a historical linkage to Ọ̀yọ́ town. The result discovered that female ritual power is in existence in Ọya festival which is exhibited by Ìyá-ọya (chief priestess) and Arugbá (votary maid). The result showed that, within Yoruba indigenous tradition, the Ọya festival holds greater importance for women.
The study concluded that despite that Ọya festival has been largely overlooked, it plays a crucial role in showcasing the significance of women ritual power in the festival. Furthermore, the study established a historical connection between Ọya and Ọ̀yọ́ town, and it contributed to a deeper understanding of indigenous festivals in Yorubaland.
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xvi, 98p
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Citation
ORIGBO T.O.(2024) An examination of female ritual authority in oya festival in Oyo town, Department of Religious Studies, Faculty of Arts, Obafemi Awolowo University.