AESTHETICS, AN ELEMENT OF THE ORAL TRADITIONS

A STUDY OF J. P. CLARK’S OZIDI

Abstract

Aesthetics is a critical reflection on art, culture and nature. It deals with the nature of art, beauty and taste, as well as the creation and appreciation of beauty. It is central or synonymous with the philosophy of artistic creation which serves the conveyance or communication of idea that must be done in an aesthetically pleasant manner. These artistic creations must satisfy rules of composition placing them in a recognizable style that must yield to judgment, appreciation and interpretation. With the foregoing, the research examined the functions of aesthetics in oral traditions as applied in the select play and how aesthetics as an element of oral tradition influences modern Nigerian plays. Grounded theory qualitative methodology is deployed in the examination of the select play. The findings needed that the correlation of the idea of aesthetics with the holistic views of beauty in the African perception makes them relevant to the oral traditions through which the people are able to pass on the values of society, their history and culture. Finally the study highlights the inclination to awaken consciousness involving the harmonious ensemble of dramatic performances like poetry, language, proverb, ritual, music and dance as nearly every aspect of human knowledge is disseminated through the oral traditions.