THEATRICALITY AND SOCIAL FUNCTIONS IN ERISHI FESTIVAL OF THE ASE COMMUNITY IN DELTA STATE

Abstract

This paper explores the theatricality and social functions in Erishi Festival of Ase in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. Festivals are integral to the cultural life of a people; they establish identity and foster social cohesion. Although the Erishi Festival is largely unknown outside Delta State, it remains a unifying event that embodies both social functions and theatrical elements. Unfortunately, some scholars of African traditions have downplayed the potential of indigenous festivals due to the long-standing debate over Western notions of what constitutes drama. Consequently, there is little recognition of the value of such festivals beyond their entertainment aspects. This study adopts Richard Schechner’s Performance Theory and Aristotle’s Theory of Drama as its theoretical framework, employing literary and analytical methodologies. The findings reveal that the Erishi Festival embodies numerous social functions and theatrical elements. The paper recommends that scholars of African traditions should look beyond the entertainment dimension, since the festival encapsulates rich cultural values capable of fostering socio-cultural transformation within the African universe.