The Study of the Dramatic Elements of the Obhiko Festival in Edo State, Nigeria

Student: Joan Oyanosoname Ajakaiye (Project, 2025)
Department of Theatre and Media Arts
Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State


Abstract

ABSTRACT The Obhiko Festival, a significant cultural event among the Ososo people of Edo State, Nigeria, serves as a vibrant medium for expressing and preserving indigenous heritage. This study delves into the festival's dramatic elements, examining how traditional practices such as dance, rituals, and celebrations encapsulate the community's cultural values. It also explores the festival's reflection of gender dynamics, particularly focusing on the experiences of young girls participating in public performances.As the festival continues to adapt through various reforms, it remains a dynamic embodiment of the Ososo identity, bridging the past with the present and ensuring the perpetuation of their cultural legacy.

Keywords
Nigerian drama traditional performance cultural heritage theatre study indigenous art dramatic elements