Embodying Power: The Role of Performance Style in Yoruba Political Verbal Arts

Abstract

Yorùbá verbal arts, particularly traditional songs and music, are performed in ways that are vital in communicating power dynamics, sociocultural messages, and the significance of political discourse among the Yorùbá people. This article analyzes the performance styles of selected traditional song performers to demonstrate how both verbal and nonverbal elements of Yorùbá performance contribute to the understanding of political messages within Yorùbá communities. It emphasizes that performance is not solely about the content of the words but also about their delivery and embodiment, which can amplify their impact and reinforce sociopolitical structures within the society. Drawing on performance theory, the study examines how Yorùbá traditional songs and music serve as powerful tools for political discourse and identity formation among the Yorùbá, focusing specifically on the Oǹdó, Ìbògùn, and Ò̩yó̩ communities. Through a detailed analysis of the selected performers' styles, it reveals how songs and music not only reflect but actively shape understandings of power, solidarity, and sociopolitical interactions in Yorubaland. It argues that the performance styles of Yorùbá oral performers enhance the effectiveness of political narratives conveyed through performance. By highlighting the vital role of performance style in negotiating power and fostering cultural resilience, the study contributes to broader dialogues on the relationship between oral art and politics, offering new insights into the vitality of Yorùbá political aesthetics and the global relevance of indigenous expressive traditions.