| 1 |
Author(s):
Ajala Adeola Toyosi (Ph.D.), Adeyanju Adewumi Raphael, Adebagbo Adebanjo.
Page No : 1-20
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Tradition and Culture: A Reflection of African Society in Femi Adebayo’s Film; Seven Doors.
Abstract
African traditions and cultural heritage are deeply embedded in the values, beliefs, and practices passed down through generations. Despite the pressures of modernization and globalization, preserving these traditions remains crucial to maintaining African identity. This study examines Seven Doors, a Nigerian limited series directed by Femi Adebayo, as a depiction of cultural artifact that reflects and preserves African heritage. The film, set in the late 1960s and early 1970s, explores themes of monarchy, tradition, morality, and the tension between cultural continuity and modernity. Using the Afrocentric Theory as a framework, the study analyses the film’s narrative structure, symbolic elements, and visual representations to highlight its role in cultural preservation. The research employs a qualitative analysis to highlight the cultural practices and its function in preserving and advancing African heritage. The findings reveal that Seven Doors serves as a medium for promoting African values such as kingship, ancestral reverence, communal responsibility, and indigenous knowledge systems. The film’s depiction of language, rituals, music, and spirituality reinforces the significance of oral traditions and storytelling in African societies. Additionally, the study underscores the challenges posed by cultural erosion and external influences, emphasizing the necessity for continued cultural introspection through creative media. By examining Seven Doors as a cinematic representation of African identity, this research contributes to the discourse on the role of film in safeguarding heritage and fostering cultural pride.
| 2 |
Author(s):
Ajala Adeola Toyosi (Ph.D.), Alayinde Jemilat Adewunmi.
Page No : 21-40
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Language, Identity, and Religious Bigotry: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Cyberbullying in Nigeria.
Abstract
Nigeria’s linguistic and religious diversity has made it a fertile ground for identity-driven discourse, often manifesting in online interactions. This study examines the intersection of language, identity, and religious bigotry in Nigeria’s digital space, using Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and Social Identity Theory (SIT) to explore how online discourse shapes and reinforces social divisions. The study critically analyses selected online posts, comments, and video clips to identify patterns of religious intolerance, cyberbullying, and hate speech. Findings reveal that language is not only a medium of communication, but also, a tool for constructing and maintaining social identities. Online platforms amplify religious bigotry by enabling individuals express prejudices, propagate stereotypes, and engage in cyberbullying. Various forms of cyberbullying such as trolling, hate speech, fraping, denigration, exclusion, discrimination, impersonation, to mention a few serves, to deepen religious and ethnic divides. The study highlights the role of social media in both exacerbating and mitigating religious tensions, suggesting that strategic interventions, including digital literacy programs and stricter cyber laws, are necessary for promoting tolerance and interfaith dialogue. By examining the linguistic strategies used in online religious discourse, this research contributes to a broader understanding of how digital interactions influence societal cohesion. The findings advocate for a more responsible use of language in online spaces to promote peace, tolerance, and mutual respect in Nigeria’s pluralistic society.
| 3 |
Author(s):
Àránsí Ayọ̀ọlá Ọládùnńkẹ́.
Page No : 41-49
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Yorùbá Political Songs: A Communication Tool For Critique and Protest.
Abstract
People in contemporary politics are generally demonstrated as self-centered villians whose interests in politics are mainly focused on their personal aggrandizement and not for the masses who are working tirelessly to survive. Among the people are the politicians who depend on the feast of the masses’ daily sweat and who fail to provide for the people and their enviroments’ basic needs. The aim of this paper is to identify and establish that Yorùbá political songs, which is an aspect of Yorùbá literature usually constructed to reflect either positive or negative attitude of their leaders towards the masses and to also counter and disqualify their lacadeisical attitudes of running the government of the people, is seriously affecting the development of their communities and Nigeria as a whole. This paper presents a structural analysis of some selected Yorùbá political songs using linguistic, thematic, and discourse analysis techniques. It also examines politicians’ use of language, how they form their words to reflect the uncare attitude of their leaders. Fifteen political songs were collected from various political followers. Ten of those songs which were imbued with abuse, curse, hatred, riddicle, financial fraud and political shift jubilation were randomly selected. The paper concludes that, in as much as songs promote the well-being of the society and enhance people’s lives, they can also be used to caution bad habits that may have serious negative effects on the society.
