ART IN IGBO WORLD VIEW: EXPLORING THE IGBO SOCIO-CULTURAL THEMES IN T.U. UBESIE’S MMIRI ỌKỤ E JI EGBU MBE

Abstract

Researchers, over the years have tried to limit Igbo literature to mere moonlight stories and folktales. Some of them believed that it is not fit to be regarded as literature because, to them it does not follow certain Lay down rules. Literature generally was formally regarded as any written work, but over the years, there was a need to differentiate between a mere document and literary works; which is then regarded as literature. It is on this note that this study is done. To find out if the Igbo literature is a mere document, thus arts for arts sake or literature in all sense. To do this, various themes from the text, Mmiri Ọkụ E Ji Egbu Mbe is discussed. The narrative method of analysis was chosen to analyze the themes and major sociocultural materials drawn from the text. It is discovered that Igbo literature cannot afford the luxury of arts-for-arts sake neither is it a mere document. This study will be beneficial to students of Igbo literature and scholars alike as it will add more contents the study and perception of Igbo literature.