Damilola Ashorobi

Oju- Ara Mi Damilola Ashorobi

Yoruba ethnic society is one of the major ethnic groups that make up the country's major population. It is found in the south western part of Nigeria. Yoruba people practice Christian, Islamic, and traditional religions unlike the other major ethnic groups, Hausa and Igbo, whose members are predominantly Muslims and Christians respectively. Pastor Oloruntobi and Imam Ayeloyun in the novella, for instance, both belong to the Yoruba ethnic group, but they have different beliefs. Although there are many Christians and Muslims among the Yoruba group, some villages still maintain their traditions which sometimes affect the lives of women. The Yoruba people are, therefore, known to integrate their own traditional beliefs with the modern ones. As a result of this, the novella is set in Ilu Oloyin, a village that has close percentage of Christians, Muslims and traditional believers. Because some native beliefs are still preserved, people can still participate in such old traditions. Mrs. Onike, Adejoke's aunt in the novella, for instance, is a Christian but she does not let that stop her from going and also inviting people to the Yemoja festival, an old traditional celebration. However, some preserved practices have negative consequences such as those caused by female genital mutilation. This is the focus of this novella. Yoruba ethnic society is one of the major ethnic groups that make up the country's major population. It is found in the south western part of Nigeria. Yoruba people practice Christian, Islamic, and traditional religions unlike the other major ethnic groups, Hausa and Igbo, whose members are predominantly Muslims and Christians respectively. Pastor Oloruntobi and Imam Ayeloyun in the novella, for instance, both belong to the Yoruba ethnic group, but they have different beliefs. Although there are many Christians and Muslims among the Yoruba group, some villages still maintain their traditions which sometimes affect the lives of women. The Yoruba people are, therefore, known to integrate their own traditional beliefs with the modern ones. As a result of this, the novella is set in Ilu Oloyin, a village that has close percentage of Christians, Muslims and traditional believers. Because some native beliefs are still preserved, people can still participate in such old traditions. Mrs. Onike, Adejoke's aunt in the novella, for instance, is a Christian but she does not let that stop her from going and also inviting people to the Yemoja festival, an old traditional celebration. However, some preserved practices have negative consequences such as those caused by female genital mutilation. This is the focus of this novella.