̀THE DIRGE MUSIC OF OKE ILA ORANGUN: A PERSPECTIVE OF SOUL IMMORTALITY

Authors

  • Adedayo Ezekiel Babatope Author

Abstract

A community situated in Ifedayo Local government of Osun State, Nigeria, Oke Ila Orangun is nuanced with cultural heritage exemplified by orinòkú (dirge music) that is solely performed for the dead. This study attempted samples of such songs with a view to analyzing their textual content and their implications in the instance of this aged long tradition. Premised on the theoretical frame work of human immortality propounded by Socrates and Plato, which consents to survival of human soul after death, interviews, observations, audio tape documentation alongside relevant scholarly writings were harnessed to amass information that is germane to this study. Inferences from this study endorsed intimacy of Oke Ila Orangun community with the cultural heritage of soul immortality which dirge music resonates regardless of the religious affiliation of the people. Premised on the song texts, the study indicated the acclaimed exulted realm of life accorded to the dead by the living, the latter being fortified with superior power; hence, they are capable of surmounting every life challenge. In addition, three states of immortality which consolidate the belief of Oke Ila people in soul eternalization were unraveled: physical (reincarnation), translocation, and spirit entities. Regardless of religious inclination and civilization among other factors, it could be concluded that the belief of Oke Ila people in soul immortality, underpinned by dirge music, is staunch, a stance that to a degree may survive for a wide space of time.

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Published

2025-09-30