PERSPECTIVISATION OF, AND LOCAL COLOURS, IN ESIBI PERFORMANCE OF AKURE KINGDOM, SOUTHWESTERN, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examines Esibi, a folk performance of Akure Kingdom, exploring its role in entertainment, activism, socialisation, education, propaganda, and social mobilisation. Using John Dewey's Social Activism Theory, the research analyses the performance's local colours including banters, invectives, call and response, costumes, percussions, praise poetry, and lampoon. The study finds that Esibi is an agency of entertainment, activism, and socialisation, promoting gender integration and inclusivity. The study reveals that Esibi's local colours are intricate to the performance, making it a unique cultural expression. Through first-hand observations, oral interviews, and direct participation, the research gathered data, which was critically scrutinised through the lens of Social Activism Theory. The theory's emphasis on activism as a tool for ethno-nationalism and social re-engineering made it suitable for the study. The findings highlight Esibi's significance in promoting cultural values and social cohesion. The study recommends perpetuating Esibi through digital media for wider reach, value re-orientation, and re-perspectivisation. By exploring Esibi's role in Akure Kingdom, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the performance's cultural significance and its potential for social impact.