Akwali Songs of Awkuzu Women of South East Nigeria: Implications for Feminism, Gender and Women Empowerment in Igbo Cuture

Adaoma Igwedibia

Abstract


This study has investigated in a feminist manner, the seeming absence of scholarship of oral poetry on the emancipation and empowerment of women in the traditional Igbo society. It has done this by using the lamentation (akwali) songs of Awkuzu women in South east Nigeria. Using feminist theory, the research explored various recorded akwali songs in Awkuzu to: ascertain the cause and effect of gender imbalance among females and their male counterparts that necessitated the use of akwali songs to achieve gender equality and women empowerment in Awkuzu. Thus, the study aimed to demonstrate that oral poetry is an effective tool for initiating social change in traditional African society.

Keywords


Akwali Songs; Awkuzu women; Feminism; Gender; Women empowerment

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References


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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3968/13204

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