THE ROLE OF INDIGENOUS LITERARY TRADITION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF IGALA COMMUNITY
ABSTRACT
The researcher tries to show the roles of indigenous literary tradition in the development of Igala Community. This research work shows that indigenous literary tradition contributed greatly to the development of Agriculture, promotion of social relationship and political growth and in the maintenance of good health in Igala Community. The work is divided into five chapters: chapter one treats the background of the study, statements of problems, purpose of study, significance of study, scope of study, Geographical, location, economic and social importance. Chapter two is literature review. Chapter three shows the role of festivals and ceremonies in the development of Igala community. Chapter four also shows the role of myths, legend and folktales in the development of Igala community. Chapter five covers conclusion and recommendation.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Community development has been viewed from various perspectives. Mainly in relation to increase in capacity and skills, greater freedom, creativity of individual members, self discipline, economic growth and overall well being of the community. In Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, a man’s wealth is known or derived from the number of tittles he could acquire, the number of barns he could stuck with farm produce that will last from one planting season to another.
           Indigenous literary tradition means the type of cultural beliefs, customs and superstitions that guide the day to day activities of a people. It is mainly centered on the ways of rural people in the third world countries especially the poorer rural people. Some communities are capable of utilizing the indigenous literary traditional practice in production of wealth in abundance while others depend solely on those wealth produced by their neighboring communities.
           In view of this facts therefore, the extent to which indigenous literary tradition can contribute in the roles within the Igala community has not been determined with certainty. There may be widespread speculations of the roles to community development, the exact role to this rural community has not been explored especially as it cannot be said that indigenous literary traditional development of one community is synonymous with the development of another community. Since the role of indigenous tradition in community development varies across communities, research findings from one community cannot be generalized to other communities, like Igala community. In consideration of these facts therefore, there is need to explore the role of indigenous literary tradition in the development of Igala community.
