Abstract
This study examines the representation of Lagos, a rapidly growing Nigerian megacity, as an oceanic city in Nigerian Yoruba oral poetry. It evaluates the portrayals of everyday life in Lagos city and the urban challenges stemming from its identification as an oceanic city. Situated between a Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean, Lagos City juxtaposes economic prosperity and environmental degradation. The city grapples with issues related to disorganised mobility, including traffic congestion, commercial motorcycling, and inadequate housing, leading to its classification as one of the least liveable cities globally. Drawing extensively on Karin Barber’s theoretical insights on creativity and Popular Poesis, this research adopts a close reading strategy emphasising contextual and literary analysis. It posits that Nigerian Yoruba oral poetry’s depiction of Lagos city reflects contemporary social knowledge, environmental dynamics, power structures, and the everyday realities of the city, demonstrating both the positive and negative impacts of the abundance of water on social well-being and urban prosperity. In conclusion, this study suggests that the portrayal of Lagos city as an oceanic city in Nigerian Yoruba oral poetry offers an alternative lens to comprehend the city’s space, providing valuable insights into the imaginative representations of oral poets.
Presenters
Stephen Toyin OgundipeSenior Lecturer, English, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Osun, Nigeria
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
LAGOS, CITY POETRY, YORUBA ORAL POETRY, OCEANIC CITY, URBAN POLLUTION
