AN ANALYSIS OF THEMES AND FUNCTIONS OF ELUGWU EZIKE IGBO FOLKSONGS

Abstract

The study analyses Elugwu Ezike Igbo folksongs. The objectives of the
study are to categorize Elugwu Ezike Igbo folksongs, identify the
functions and thematic features embedded in the selected folksongs.
The study is a survey research design with a qualitative paradigm. The
study is anchored on Systemic functional linguistic theory. Data for
the study was collected through oral interview and participant
observation. Journal and dissertations were also consulted as
secondary sources of data collection. The data collected were
translated from Igbo into English language and analysed
descriptively. The findings of the study reveal that Elugwu Ezike Igbo
folksongs are categorized into dirges, birth songs, marriage songs, war
songs, work songs, cradle songs and lullabies. The findings also reveal
that folksongs perform numerous functions like economic,
entertainment, socio-cultural, magico-religious and educational
functions. The findings further reveal that repetitions, rhythm,
personification, metaphor, assonance and consonance constituted
the prominent stylistic features embedded in Elugwu Ezike Igbo
folksongs.