Alterity in Some Selected Folk Narratives of Obollo _eke People

ABSTRACT Alterity has become a site in literary research for a deeper understanding of how literature reflects and shapes societal perceptions of identity, belonging, and difference. This concept refers to the perception of individuals or groups as fundamentally distinct or different from oneself or one’s own community, often based on characteristics such as race, ethnicity, gender, or cultural practices. With numerous critical engagements on the concept of alterity, folktales are yet to be explored in this light, particularly the folktales of obollo-eke community. This study uses postcolonial theory as guide in reading folktales in the light of alterity. Again, it has proven folktales as a crucial means of capturing universal themes that resonate across cultures and time. Using a qualitative analysis approach, this study identifies what constitutes alterity of characters in the context of folktales and highlights specific instances of alterity within the context of folktales. Hence, in essence, alterity leads to struggles with identity which delves into the psychological aspects of ‘alterity’, including its effects on self identity, self-esteem, and the psychological well being of individuals who are labelled as the ‘other’. it creates a dichotomy between the ‘self’ and the perceived ‘other’. Keywords: Alterity, Folktales, Post colonialism, self and other