Exploring the Theatrical Elements of Lisabi Festival of the Egba People in Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Abstract

This study explores the theatrical elements of Lisabi festival of the Egba people of Abekuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. Out of several festivals that exist in the African society, certain number of them projects the total theatre idioms which are used by playwrights and other theatre professionals as part of the narrative device in their work of art. The study therefore, analyses all theatrical elements inherent in Lisabi festival. The paper adopts the descriptive research method and utilises the participant-observation approach which involves the researcher’s participation in the festival processes. It employs Herbert Spencer’s Functionalism as the theoretical framework for this study. In this research, it is discovered that Lisabi festival of Abeokuta is an annual festival that projects the total theatre idioms and uses theatrical elements to project its celebration. The festival is done over a seven (7) days period and involves several developmental activities that are beneficial to the people and the society at large. The paper concludes that, Lisabi festivals embodies many elements of the theatre, as it preserves, promotes, exemplifies and projects the African cultural values. Therefore, for effective preservation, African playwrights are encouraged to embrace their cultural values and proudly promote it through their artistic works.