ORAL FORMS AS A VEHICLE FOR THE ARTICULATION OF URHOBO COSMOLOGY

Emusi, Samson Ikuvwe Ariegbe

Department of Religion

Delta State University, Abraka

Email: revemusi@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This paper presents aspects of the cosmology of Urhobo people, as articulated in Urhobo oral forms. The paper examines five poems (Texts I – V) for their thematic contents which exemplify aspects of the cosmology of the Urhobo poetry. Aspects of the cosmology identified include: the essence of life, the uniqueness of the individual, the efficacy of paternal blessings, objectivity in assessing situations and attitude to physical prowess. To these, the paper strongly posits that they bear semblance to other cultural elements in Africa.