Continuity and Change: Decoding Bruce Onobrakpeya’s Conceptualisation of Urhobo Ancestral Worship in Two-Dimensional Forms

Abstract

The thrust of the paper is to re-examination the conceptualisation of the ancestors’ statuettes in two-dimensional art by Bruce Onobrakpeya. Bruce Onobrakpeya being an Urhobo Artist has conceptualised and by extension the art work of ancestral in two dimensional forms, for general acceptance of modern Urhobo adherents.  The paper critically evaluates the pre-colonial status of the ancestors and lucidly highlights the pride of place they once enjoyed. It is the contention of this paper to state that despite missionary religions have made a lot of converts among the traditional people, regard is paid to the ancestors.  The work is anchored on the Semiotic theory of Eco which says that visual images explained issues as written words. The civilizing tendencies the Christianity has brought to Urhobo land particularly and the globalizing forces, have helped in no small way to pave way for continuity. The paper concludes that the living dead are still being remembered and venerated by the Urhobo through modern ways of worship. The Urhobo adherents who prefer to go to their new place of worship venerate their departed one through remembrance and thanksgiving ceremony.