The debate on games and plays as universal phenomena is now irrelevant. Every climes of the world is known with its specifics. Yorubaland is no exception to this. The Yoruba engages in ìjàkadì, ayò ọlọ́pọ́n, òkìtì títa , búúrú, bojú-bojú, bọ́ọ́kọ-bọ́ọ̀kọ, párá-onídèmodè, sansalùbọ́, gbádìí-gbádìí, tẹ̀ẹ̀tẹ́ and others. It is however regrettable that the Yoruba Indigenous Games and Plays (IGPs) has given way to the foreign ones – notably, Western model as badminton, athletics, chess, football, basketball, hockey, volleyball, table tennis and others – which continues to addict them. This has been blamed on global exchange of culture for which the Yoruba had been at the receiving side. Using the descriptive and analytical modes of historical interpretation, the findings of this study validated that the Yoruba have distinctive games and plays which firmly connects with their cultural needs and environmental circumstances. The paper concludes that Yoruba IGPs should not be relegated especially with the current economic recession; it could be another source of income generation to the nation. Moreover, it can serve as a veritable unidentified weapon for combating crime. Therefore, it should be revisited and reviewed to world standard.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Conceptual Clarifications
2.1 Play
2.2 Game
3. Play and Game: Boundaries and Transgressions
4. Yoruba Indigenous Games and Plays: A retrospective study
5. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
The primary objective of this work is to explore, analyze, and document the significance of Yoruba Indigenous Games and Plays (IGPs) in pre-colonial society, while examining their role in education, socialization, and cultural identity. The study also seeks to address the neglect of these traditional practices in the face of Western cultural hegemony and to highlight their potential utility in modern contexts, such as economic development and crime prevention.
- Historical evolution and cultural significance of Yoruba Indigenous Games and Plays.
- Categorization and structural analysis of traditional games across different age groups.
- The intersection of play, game, and indigenous educational mechanisms.
- Critique of gender roles and potential pitfalls within traditional gaming practices.
- Modern applications and the need for the preservation and revaluation of Yoruba IGPs.
Excerpt from the Book
Yoruba Indigenous Games and Plays: A retrospective study
There is no single universally acceptable definition for games or plays; the words have been extended over a wide range of activities all of which possesses certain related components. The closest representation and equivalence of both in traditional Yoruba society is eré Ìdárayá, literally, health induced play. One can infer from the name itself that the first aim of instituting such fit is to induce sound health in the participant, but this is not the only reason or function. Others include intellectual alertness, building of physical strength, burning of excessive fats off the body, building of strong family ties, cementing new friendship, entertainment, relaxation, entrenchment of patriarchal structures thereby downplaying women’s role and enriching the body Yoruba linguistic culture. Games may be seen as a set of activities and a pattern of behavior that stimulates physical and mental alertness in humans. Indigenous games in this context therefore, may be conceptualized as an indigenous socialization mechanism aided by skillful activities and instituted with the aim of exercising the soul and body thereby inducing excitement and contributory to sound health.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter establishes the theoretical background, asserting that sporting activities are universal, and introduces the focus on traditional Yoruba society as a site for indigenous games and plays.
2. Conceptual Clarifications: This section defines the terminology used in the study, specifically differentiating between the spontaneous nature of "play" and the structured, goal-oriented nature of "game."
3. Play and Game: Boundaries and Transgressions: This chapter analyzes the theoretical interconnection between play-mode and game-mode, using a structural model to illustrate how these activities transgress boundaries between ordinary life and focused competition.
4. Yoruba Indigenous Games and Plays: A retrospective study: This core chapter categorizes various Yoruba games, highlights their social and educational roles, and addresses historical critiques regarding their inclusivity and time-management implications.
5. Conclusion: The concluding chapter synthesizes the study's findings, arguing for the preservation, professionalization, and modern re-application of Yoruba IGPs as tools for social development and intelligence gathering.
Keywords
Yoruba Indigenous Games, IGPs, traditional society, play, game, eré Ìdárayá, socialization, cultural identity, indigenous education, historical interpretation, social interaction, Ayò, wrestling, community, recreation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this publication?
The work focuses on the history, structure, and social significance of indigenous games and plays within traditional Yoruba society, examining how they functioned as educational and socializing tools.
Which thematic areas does the study cover?
Key areas include the conceptual differences between play and games, the cultural and educational roles of these activities, the stratification of games by age, and the challenges regarding gender inclusivity and time management.
What is the overarching research goal?
The goal is to validate the existence of distinctive Yoruba games and advocate for their preservation and review to contemporary standards rather than relegating them to obscurity.
Which research methodology is employed?
The study utilizes descriptive and analytical modes of historical interpretation to assess the cultural impact of indigenous games and their relevance to both the past and the present.
What topics are discussed in the main body of the text?
The main body covers definitions of play and games, the transition between "play-mode" and "game-mode," various examples of traditional games like Ayò and wrestling, and their role as mechanisms for teaching social values.
Which keywords define this work?
Significant keywords include Yoruba Indigenous Games, socialization, indigenous education, eré Ìdárayá, cultural identity, and the Point of Interconnection (POI).
How does the author characterize the role of women in these traditional games?
The text notes that many games were considered a "male preserve" and that women, despite being skillful, were often deterred by the heavy burden of domestic responsibilities and social labels like "Aṣa" (shameless person) for mingling in male spaces.
Can these games be used in a modern security context?
The author suggests that the crowd-pulling nature of games like Ayò or Ìjàkadì could potentially be utilized by security operatives to gather intelligence in a relaxed, non-formal social setting.
- Quote paper
- Mr. Afeez Tope Raji (Author), 2019, A Retrospective of Yoruba Indigenous Games and Plays, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/506240
