Browsing by Author "Abdullahi, Kadir Ayinde"
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Item THE AESTHETICS OF BLACKNESS AND FEMINIST SIGNIFICATION IN THE SELECTED NOVELS OF TONI MORRISON AND ALICE WALKER(International Journal of Research in Arts and Social Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka., 2014) Abdullahi, Kadir AyindeOne of the dominant themes which continue to resonate in literature irrespective of region, culture or period is the perceived marginalization of the female gender. Many critics have observed that the level and perception of such a gender marginalization differs according to the socio- cultural milieu of a given area. As such, theories with the consciousness of cultural factors have continued to emerge as appropriate responses to gender politics. In African-American fictions, evidence of cultural practices which are believed to enforce women’s subservience abounded. The selected texts of Toni Morrison and Alice Walker provide an appropriate illustration of some practices which continue to subjugate the African-American women and promote male dominance. It is observable that certain socio-economic and class factors constitute the restrictive practices which contribute to the oppression of African-American woman. The primary aim of this study is to bring under critical focus the dominant influence of sexism in the Black aesthetics of African-American women writers. It also further contextualizes how African-American women have continued to perceive and react to their plight after many centuries of physical and spiritual estrangement from their African homeland.Item Arab History and Tewfik Al-Hakim’s Theatre: Accounting for paucity of Dramaturgy(Department of Languages, Kwara State University, 2012) Abdullahi, Kadir AyindeThis paper examines the historical and cultural configuration that shaped the theatrical sensibilities and ultimately the performance pattern on which Tewfik Al-Hakim’s Arabic theatre is predicated. An exposition of how drama fits within the context of cultural Islamization requires an account of the historical matrix which shows the synthesis of Islam and indigenous culture as well as the hybridity brought to the convergence by the harsh realities of colonization. In order to grasp the basis of the dramaturgy in Al-Hakim’s theater, a limited survey of his selected text is necessary.Item Aspects of African Oral Literature and Performance Aesthetics(Journal of English and Literary Studies, Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra State, 2015) Abdullahi, Kadir AyindeThis paper gives an overview of an ethnographic portrait of the artists who recreate the tradition of oral performance as well as samples of performance situation of Ereno festival of Epe people in Lagos. The essay spells out certain aspects of oral tradition and critically examines how they did have the appreciation of beauty through performance. African oral tradition and folkways deal with man's existential being. It grapples with man's dilemma and adventure in life. The utilitarian value of the oral tradition is to utilize its various conventions for instruction and entertainment and to stimulate human feeling through songs, song-tales, riddles, beast-fables, parables, jokes, proverbs, anecdotes, legends, myths, fables, spies, folktales and stories. In traditional African literature, the oral performer spoke in prose and verse and song. The dynamism with which the performer exhibits the aesthetic potency of the oral forms makes the African poets and storytellers the community chroniclers, entertainers and collective consciousness.Item Children's Tele-Drama and the Fight against Insecurity in Nigeria(2017-12) Abdullahi, Kadir Ayinde; Audu, Nurat TosinIn recent time, Nigeria has become a haven of insecurity due to the rise in the spate of insurgency particularly, the Boko Haram phenomenon in the North East, cattle rustling in the North-West and North-Central, and the recurrence of kidnapping in the South-.West, South-East and South-South. This sad situation continues to attract negative image for the country and breeds unemployment as investors are scared of investing in an unsafe environment. The citizens are also desperately migrating to safer countries resulting in brain drain and insufficient skilled manpower. However, Children theatre remains one of the viable media to help solve the various problems of insecurity bedeviling Nigeria. Inculcating the right values in children and educating them through theatrical performances can help guard against various vices so that the nation can become better and safer. The paper employs the 'moralist art propaganda and observational learning theories as premise for analysing the symbiotic relationship between children's tele-drama and nation buildingItem Feminist Politics in Autobiographical Fiction of Fatima Mernisi’s Dream of Trespass: Tales of a Harem Girlhood(Springboard, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, 2016) Abdullahi, Kadir AyindeThe social and cultural life of Arab women in Morocco in viewed to be that of subjugation. The issues of women’s right, identity and recognition have, therefore, come to be a major preoccupation of Mernisi’s Dreams of Trespass: Tales of A harem Girlhood. In this novel, Mernisi assumes the role of a social visionary who could pass for a ‘watch dog’ in her society. The paper employs liberal feminist criticism to analyze the thematic thrust of the work. Equipped with an avowed commitment to promote the right of women, the paper examines how her autobiography strives to fertilize the ideological thrust of feminism in Arab literature and through an appropriate deployment of narrative technique, style, theme and characterization; it projects an artistic vision that reveals the deplorable condition of Arab women in Morocco. In conclusion, the study shows that she explores persuasive strategies to effect social change. In this way, her work aptly demonstrates the interrelatedness of arts and society.Item Festus Iyayi’s The Contracts as a Replica of the Nigerian Society(Journal of Nigeria English Studies Association (JNESSA), 2011) Abdullahi, Kadir AyindeThe author examines Festus Iyayi’s transformational vision of neocolonial Nigerian society vis-a-vis the economic and social conditions of the masses, using The Contract (I982) as a base. From the materialist perspective, the author views how lyayi presents a remarkable artistic vision that captures or questions certain social constructs that breed incoherence in our politics. The Contracts shows lyayi as a writer who is irrevocably committed to the plight of the masses as they grapple with the cut-throat exploitative attitude of the privileged few. The novel equally announces the battle that the masses must Win in order to experience a genuine social justice in an increasingly morally degenerated society.Item Ideology and Radical Dimension of Olu Obafemi's Wheels(Ayingba Journal of Arts and Humanities, Kogi State University., 2012) Abdullahi, Kadir AyindeThe core of Obafemi’s revolutionary Vision is premised on Marxists perception of society in terms of class structure. Revolutionary vision is a perception of life which aims at changing a prevailing situation and which presents an artistic work for the purpose of achieving the changes envisioned. The notion of revolutionary vision pre-supposes that a particular condition needs a change. In this context, vision refers to “the ability to clearly discern-the pathway through the chaos of social malaise to a better life for society”. (Bamikunle 103). The revolutionary vision of Obafemi's Wheels shares broadly the idea of the radical groups of the l980s. Their idea of radicalism leads to a, focus on governance and the deprivations that it visited on the masses, which Obafemi's radical vision hoped to change through art. This paper is an exploration into the ideology and radical dimension of Olu Obafemi's Wheels.Item Muslim Identity and Cultural Dilemma in Sub-Saharan African Fiction: An Example of Sembene Ousmane’s The Money Order(Ife Journal of the Humanities and Social Studies (IJOHUSS), 2013) Abdullahi, Kadir AyindeThe author examines the Islamic dimension of literature as a means to a more cogent understanding of the identity and cultural crisis described by Sembene Ousmane's .The Money Order. He focuses on the experiences of African Muslims who lost traditional space in the multicultural postcolonial arena. The fiction illustrates the gradual substitute of traditions and customs that shaped bonds in new ways such as false ideology and new means of commerce and relations. Sembene in the fiction shows a Muslim community rife with internal contradictions. It is, therefore, necessary to examine some of the different social, political and psychological behaviour with which Sembene invests his characters who grapple with the conflict between traditional and modern ways of life.Item Nigeria in the Colonial Era: A Historical Interpretation in Akachi Ezeigbo’s Novel The Last of the Strong Ones(ERJSSH, University of Gordan, Ethiopia., 2014-10) Abdullahi, Kadir AyindeThis paper examines the historical reconstruction of the colonial era in Nigeria by focusing on Akachi Ezeigbo's The Last of the Strong Ones. The duty of the historian is to present and interpret events as factually and objectively as possible. However, the historical novelist is not under such an obligation; for he is at liberty to interpret history to suit certain purposes. He could manipulate events without necessarily watering down the credibility of the historical account. Hence, a historical novel is not a text of history, but an imaginative re-modelling of history for aesthetic effect. lt is the intention of this paper, therefore, to illustrate how Ezeigbo presents a new interpretation of colonial history in Nigeria by bringing women into the centre of the imperialist discourse. The novel is basically the story of the exploits of women who are of great repute, resourceful and intelligent, diligent and possess a very high sense of responsibility. The novel is set in a traditionally patriarchal society, yet women resisted colonial domination and political oppression to emerge as models of strength, resilience and honour. The story depicts the active participation of women in the social, economic, cultural and political emancipation of the nation under colonial subjugation. However, the essay concludes by showing that Ezeigbo re-tells the history with a large dose of creativity and thus risks the chances of losing the main substance in the historical facts.Item PERSPECTIVE ON PRE-COLONIAL HAUSA LITERATURE IN NORTHERN NIGERIA(Voices: Journal of English and Literary Studies, Kaduna State University., 2015) Abdullahi, Kadir AyindeThe basic approach in this essay on Hausa Literature in Northern Nigeria in the Pre-colonial period begins with an exploration of traditional Hausa oral literary forms. The paper further examines the nature and preoccupation of literary expressions which arose with the advent of Islam in Hausa land. Right from the pre-colonial period, Islamic literary works were responses to the great historical and social events. The Writers were content to occupy themselves in scholarly pursuits, which their literacy made possible for them and which were nourished by the flow of Islamic literature into Sudan along the caravan routes of the Sahara. Through this literary art, the indigenous literary expressions were significantly modified.Item THE PLACE OF LITERARY ARTS/DRAMA/THEATRE IN ELECTIONEERING CAMPAIGN(Journal of National Association for the promotion of studies in Arts and Social Sciences, 2003) Abdullahi, Kadir AyindeThe power of literary arts, drama and theatre as an instrument for influencing people and effecting changes in society is well known. Theatre used to be very popular art in traditional African society. It used to be point of intersection where members of the community come to entertain themselves. In the traditional contact of African drama, theatre is a popular and respectable institution which preserves the people’s culture and tradition. Theatre is popular because it emphasized community participation, peace and progress. The presentation focused on the people’s lives, their aspirants, fears, and hopes. Given the fundamental position of drama and theatre in Africa, it plays a crucial role at various levels of national life. Thus, the act of singing, dancing and play acting can serve as a veritable tool for electioneering campaign. The activities of dramatic performances, according to Oladele Taiwo, “are based on ‘doing’ and active participation rather than ‘listening’ and passive reception“'. This factor underlines the importance of drama as a tool of political mobilization. At every stage in life, drama and theatre, if properly utilized, bring about a desirable change in behavior and political maneuvering. This paper intends to examine the role of theatre and drama in electioneering campaign. The procedure is simply pedagogical. We start by looking at the issue of the definition of theatre and drama. This, of course, will be followed by examining the emotional and psychological significance of arts, drama and theatre in electioneering campaign.Item The short story and the challenges of Traditional Islamic Education in Northern Nigeria: A case study of Auwalu Hamza Yusuf’s Citizen’s Parade and Other Stories.(Papers in English and Linguistics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, 2017) Abdullahi, Kadir AyindeAuwalu Hamza Yusuf shows that an artist is a critic and a social reformer as he grapples with exposing the ills in his society. As a literary artist, Yusuf in his collection of short stories entitled Citizen’s Parade and Other Stories objectively presents his society as it is with all its suffering and explosion. In this paper, the author examines through ‘Cheating Destiny’ the method by which the short story highlights the predicament of traditional Islamic education in the north and then projects the author’s moral vision for change. The image reflected in the story is that of society which is essentially fertile for breeding rogues and hoodlums. The researcher sees the religious uprisings in Nigeria involving the Almajiris as a consequence of social breakdown that makes the nation prone to violence. The society wrongly gives religious backing to begging which is un-islamic. The story makes one wonder if the concerned authorities are making productive effort to rid society of this syndrome.Item A SOCIOLOGICAL CRITIQUE OF GENDER VIOLENCE IN NAWAL EL-SADAAWI'S WOMAN AT POINT ZERO(Andah Journal of Cultural Studies, University of Calabar, 2015) Abdullahi, Kadir AyindeIn all ramifications, El-Sadaawi’s work, Woman at point Zero cries out that the female gender is severely exploited and culturally subjugated in the Arab society of Egypt. The author aesthetically portrays the exploitation, intimidation, domestic aggression, rape, sexual harassment and similar other social vices that man perpetuates against women. Through a sociological study of the text, this essay criticizes the author’s projection of the way forward for the Arab women in the face of oppression. The paper specifically argues that the author’s approach to resolving the perennial gender violence is undoubtedly radical and scandalous. To large extent, the novel succeeds in terminating the culture of projecting the Arab Women as lifeless and insensitive object, yet the narration goes beyond the known liberal approach to conflict resolution in many similar great works of Afro- Arab Writers. The writer re~defines the face of feminism in the Arab world in a way that is antithetical to the cherished values of women as compassionate human beings. The author presents a resilient, defiant and evil minded protagonist whose audacious revolt against the oppressive patriarchal culture leaves every reader bewildered.Item Writing from the margin: Religion, Culture and Feminist Discourse in Abubakar Gimba’s Sacred Apples(IUG Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences (IJHASS), Islamic University College, Ghana, 2016) Abdullahi, Kadir AyindeBy employing liberal feminist theory, this paper discusses how religion and culture constitutes a limitation to feminist movement in Abubakar Gimba’s Sacred Apples. The novel is set in a society where the practice of polygamy appears to be a major setback for emancipation of womenfolk. Since literature aesthetically portrays the series of predicaments in society, it is extremely useful to the recourse to the information provided by literary texts and see how people could be made to be conscientiously aware of the problems. The objective of the paper has been to bring into fore the wealth of information on gender discourse in a feminist literature by a Northern Nigerian writer. The study of Abubakar Gimba’s text will likely provide a novel perspective about Islam, society and women education. A combination of Islam and traditional culture imparts the lives of the characters.