Science, technology and myth of ṣàngó in the aesthetics of Yoruba creative and literary arts.

Abstract

Studies abound to show that Africans have indigenous method of exploiting nature for their benefit, the result of which is botanical, zoological and medical sciences. These according to Layiwola (2007) are what stimulate oral and literary creation. The interest of this paper is in the functional definition of arts and of aesthetics as "things created to realize a particular end" (Davies in Musa, 2003:3). It is on this premise that this paper investigates drama on the theme of Sango's thunder fit to move beyond cultural jamboree, to serve a particular end of redirecting attention to the theme of science and technology in the natural phenomena of thunder and lightning. The function of art as an eye opener that calls on developing nations like Nigeria to look inward for scientific and technological breakthrough is explored through the artistic impressions of Yoruba artists in this paper to portray culture as the bedrock of development.