A SOCIO-SEMIOTIC/SPEECH ACT INVESTIGATION OF ÍWÁ ÁKWÁ TRADITIONAL RITE (MANHOOD INITIATION)

ABSTRACT

This work is on the socio-semiotic / speech act investigation of the íwá ákwá traditional rite of the íbéáfòr Úmúnúmó people of Ehime Mbano LGA of Imo state. The aim of this study is to give a detailed account of the traditional event which includes how the event operates, how the event is performed, the various items used and what they signify, significance of the íwá ákwá traditional rite, and the impact of westernization on the performance of íwá ákwá traditional rite. The method of data collection and analysis is done using appropriate linguistic method and the result of the investigation will enable one see the significance of the íwá ákwá traditional rite. The aim of this study is to analyze the semiotics / speech act of the various items/objects used in the event, explain in detail the nature of the event and the significance of the items used giving pictorial display where necessary, examine the importance of the event to the community, and finally ascertain the impact of Christianity and Islam in the event. Socio-semiotic / Speech act  is the theoretical framework employed in the research. It is found to exhibit the most suitable model for critically analyzing traditional and cultural practices. The findings of the study reveal that íwá ákwá traditional rite is a tri-annual affair, celebrated in the month of January. The event also acts as a unifying factor for the community and a time for the settlement of disputes. It was also found that the festival is solely carried out by men and participation by females is restricted. In terms of the impact of Christianity or Islam, Christianity has a great impact on the event such as bringing about a decrease especially in the belief and participation in the festival while Islam has no impact on the event.