POLITENESS AS POWER IN YORUBA TRADITIONAL RELIGION: EXAMINING (IM)POLITENESS STRATEGIES IN IJALA POETRY

Abstract

This study explored the dynamics of politeness and impoliteness strategies as expressions of power in Yoruba traditional religion, particularly through the lens of Ijala poetry, a traditional Yoruba oral art form often associated with hunters and deities. The motivation for the study stemmed from the need to understand how politeness and impoliteness are strategically employed in Yoruba religious contexts to assert authority, negotiate status, and manage relationships with deities. The study aimed to analyze how these strategies serve as mechanisms of power within Ijala poetry. Using a qualitative content analysis approach, the study examined selected Ijala poems that depict interactions between humans and Yoruba deities, focusing on speech acts, verbal exchanges, and contextual interpretations. Three major findings emerged: first, impoliteness strategies were often used to challenge or provoke deities to demonstrate their power; second, politeness was employed to show reverence and establish rapport; third, both strategies were context-dependent, influenced by the deity's nature and the speaker’s intent. The study concluded that politeness and impoliteness in Ijala poetry are critical tools for managing power dynamics and reinforcing social hierarchies in Yoruba traditional religion. The findings contribute to the broader understanding of Yoruba oral traditions and their role in religious and cultural discourse.