CONCEPTUAL METAPHOR IN IGBO DIRGE SONGS

Abstract

Dirge songs are oral rendition at burial or funereal ceremonies which address the dead, the family of the dead, the mourners, and death itself. Hence, beyond sorrow or grief, it nurtures hope and consolation. This research aims to examine how Igbo dirge songs conceptualize death and grief by ascertaining the use of metaphors in the speech communities, and to document the collected dirge songs. The data were sourced from Nawfija in Orumba South, Awka in Awka South and Awa in Orumba North communities, all in Anambra State- Nigeria. This was achieved through observation and interview methods. Subsequently, the data were analyzed using the Lakoff and Johnson (1980) conceptual metaphor theoretical framework. The research reveals some metaphoric elements used to conceptualize death such as; death is a visitor, a business entity/man, a door shutter, a fighter, rest, a thief, the interrupter of life’s conversations, a terrible roommate/companion, an unannounced journey, a pepper, amongst others. In conclusion, it is observed that death can be perceived in various ways by the living.