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Vss 19-22. These verses have been described as laws of charity which require that part of the three main crops (grains, olives, grapes) be reserved for the poor, a form of welfare

4.5 Social Inequality and Reflections in Songs and Proverbs

Names, songs and proverbs are important indices for understanding a people‟s culture.211 Such names have been examined in the previous section. Songs are important.

Prominent among the Urhobo people is the Udje dance songs. Udje is a unique type of dance in Urhobo in which rival quarters from the same village or different towns perform songs composed from often exaggerated materials about the other group on an appointed day. Among the clans where Udje is most popular are EWU, OKPARABE, OLOMU, UDU, and UGHIEVWEN. It is believed to have begun in the nineteenth century, reaching its peak212 in the 1920s and 30s. Interestingly the Udje dance has both political and social significance. It aims at sanitizing society. As the name means „Udje‟ is also interpreted Ofovwi ile meaning „war of songs‟. Darah calls it „Udje: Battle of songs‟213. What this was intended to do was to praise virtue and condemn vice. Apart from its aesthetic importance it has social significance. According to T. Ojaide

The songs are very relevant today as societies everywhere continue to fashion means of dealing with their lesser crimes and protecting their ethical and moral values. Their relevance transcends cultural and historical contexts. In fact, these songs serve as a lesson to today's journalists and publishers of tabloids. In the udje dance song tradition, excesses are checked since there are sanctions against falsehoods as well as lampoons against natural

211 E.Taylor defines „Culture‟ as that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, moral, law, custom and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as member of society.

212Darah G.G. 2005. Battles of Songs: Udje Traditions of the Urhobo.Lagos: Malthouse Press Limited.

213Ibid.

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defects. The songs maintain a delicate balance between the general good of the society whose ethos must be upheld and respect for the law-abiding individual.214

The songs address social issues relating to the people‟s perception of social inequality.

Several themes feature in the Udje dance songs that make them relevant in understanding social inequality among the Urhobo people. These themes include marriage, sterility, sickness, poverty etc. For example as importance is attached to children among the Urhobo people, a man who is not able to marry and raise children is often disrespected in the society. This is a form of inequality. He is disrespected and regarded as impotent. He does not belong to the married men. Wealth is also important among the Urhobo people and defines people‟s social status. A story is told of a man Mono in a village called Iwhrekan, who had only one piece of cloth, which he uses to the farm and takes to social functions. One day when he washed it and spread it in the Sun to dry, the Falcon snatched it. He is said to have cried, asking the bird to return his cloth. This may not be a true story, but is simply a satiric painting of the social status of the man. Though poetic and imaginary, it is a reflection of the view about socio-economic inequality in the society.

Status features prominently in the Udje dance songs. It might be observed that whether consciously or unconsciously the people‟s philosophy about social inequality is reflected in their songs. A song composed to shame Oloya says;

Oloya the celebrated charm-maker was forced into exile by police harassment. Court letters were at least seven. And summons was

214Tanure Ojaide comments on the social relevance of the Urhobo song poetry in „Poetry, Performance, and Art: Udje Dance Songs of Urhobo People.‟

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legion. These troubles made him flee to foreign land.

In this song, though Oloya is the chief character through whom the opponent attacks his group in the Udje Battle song, the main theme provided is the social inequality of Oloya.215 The factor responsible for his fleeing is his financial predicament of poverty in which his social status has become proverbial.

Closely related to the Udje dance songs are proverbs through which we can articulate the Urhobo perspectives of social inequality. According to F.Ohwovoriole proverbs are used on different occasions. It is a literal expression of wisdom which offers the speaker a medium for the projection and fulfillment of a variety of socially desired goals. It is an instrument of cultural transmission and its study can give a penetrating picture of the people‟s way of life, their philosophy, their criticism of life, moral truths and social values. They also address the theme of social inequality just as we find in the songs. Some of these with social status connotations are;

I. The steps that are taken forward do not go backward. This is an aspiration and prayer for the successful individual as a form of rejection of low status of life.

(Itchihi kparo kpuko-o).

II. That a man wears knickers doesn‟t mean that he carries half thought.

III. Osevwe r’ Omotete f’ Okpako-o (The fashion of the young doesn‟t fit an old man).

215 G.G.Darah‟s comment is that throughout the song the domineering image of Oloya is vividly

established. Being a giant among others in the art of songs and dance he constitutes the weakest point from which the family could be attacked.

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IV. All fingers are not equal (Irhian bo eje ria ukuku-u) In this, the people acknowledge the differences in society particularly with reference to financial capacity.

The Proverbs express the moral and social values held by the People of Urhobo society as regards social status and social inequality among the communities.

4.6 The Marginal Groups in Urhobo Society: The Widow, Orphans, Strangers