“I be African man original”: a study of the vernacular intellectual contribution of Fela Anikulapo Kuti in post-colonial Nigeria
- Uwuoruya, Osabuohien Clifford
- Authors: Uwuoruya, Osabuohien Clifford
- Date: 2025-04
- Subjects: Fela, -- 1938-1997 -- Political and social views , Fela, -- 1938-1997 -- Philosophy , Afrobeat -- Nigeria -- History and criticism
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/72564 , vital:79238
- Description: This thesis investigates the intellectual legacies of Fela Anikulapo Kuti. In positioning him as a ‘vernacular intellectual’ within the postcolonial Nigerian landscape, this study applies endogenous approaches (Orunmilaist perspective and Ti’bi-t’ire logic), which are complimented by Grant Farred's (2003) concept of the vernacular intellectual. The intersection of these three approaches forms this study's Trifocal lens approach as a conceptual and methodological framework. Influenced by the post-colonial Nigerian setting, this study argues that Fela's music transcends mere entertainment but is an important vehicle for conscientizing the Nigerian community for social change. Incorporating insights from the literature on the global impact of popular music, the study situates Fela alongside other musicians and intellectuals who have historically mobilised societal transformation. The research foregrounds Fela’s discography, employing Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) to decode the socio-political ideologies embedded within his songs. These narratives are contextualised with historical and contemporary issues in Nigeria, demonstrating Fela's relevance in critiquing power, politics, and identity construction. Additionally, the thesis underscores the importance of oral traditions and vernacular relationality (Eze, 2008) in understanding Fela’s role as a cultural and intellectual figure who challenged oppressive regimes and inspired collective consciousness among Nigerians. Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) was supplemented by interviews with family, friends and figures deeply connected to Fela’s music and philosophy. Through these interviews, the study found that Fela’s politics and agency as a vernacular intellectual are shaped by language, community, and historical moments. The research study maps Fela’s discursive strategies against Nigeria’s post-colonial challenges while highlighting his enduring intellectual impact on contemporary social movements. This thesis hopes to contribute to the growing body of African sociological thinking in excavating the vernacular concepts in understanding the impact of music, arts, and popular culture in shaping societal change. , Thesis (Phd) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04
- Authors: Uwuoruya, Osabuohien Clifford
- Date: 2025-04
- Subjects: Fela, -- 1938-1997 -- Political and social views , Fela, -- 1938-1997 -- Philosophy , Afrobeat -- Nigeria -- History and criticism
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/72564 , vital:79238
- Description: This thesis investigates the intellectual legacies of Fela Anikulapo Kuti. In positioning him as a ‘vernacular intellectual’ within the postcolonial Nigerian landscape, this study applies endogenous approaches (Orunmilaist perspective and Ti’bi-t’ire logic), which are complimented by Grant Farred's (2003) concept of the vernacular intellectual. The intersection of these three approaches forms this study's Trifocal lens approach as a conceptual and methodological framework. Influenced by the post-colonial Nigerian setting, this study argues that Fela's music transcends mere entertainment but is an important vehicle for conscientizing the Nigerian community for social change. Incorporating insights from the literature on the global impact of popular music, the study situates Fela alongside other musicians and intellectuals who have historically mobilised societal transformation. The research foregrounds Fela’s discography, employing Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) to decode the socio-political ideologies embedded within his songs. These narratives are contextualised with historical and contemporary issues in Nigeria, demonstrating Fela's relevance in critiquing power, politics, and identity construction. Additionally, the thesis underscores the importance of oral traditions and vernacular relationality (Eze, 2008) in understanding Fela’s role as a cultural and intellectual figure who challenged oppressive regimes and inspired collective consciousness among Nigerians. Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) was supplemented by interviews with family, friends and figures deeply connected to Fela’s music and philosophy. Through these interviews, the study found that Fela’s politics and agency as a vernacular intellectual are shaped by language, community, and historical moments. The research study maps Fela’s discursive strategies against Nigeria’s post-colonial challenges while highlighting his enduring intellectual impact on contemporary social movements. This thesis hopes to contribute to the growing body of African sociological thinking in excavating the vernacular concepts in understanding the impact of music, arts, and popular culture in shaping societal change. , Thesis (Phd) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04
A sociological investigation of popular music consumption among Nigerian youths living at Summerstrand and Humewood
- Uwuoruya, Osabuohien Clifford
- Authors: Uwuoruya, Osabuohien Clifford
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Popular culture -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Music and youth -- Africa Africa -- In popular culture Music and globalization -- Africa Socialism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36738 , vital:34049
- Description: The focus of this research study is on investigating how certain Nigerian youths expression of their agency at consuming popular music as a cultural product could be constrained by certain identified institutions and their gender in Nigeria. Using General Systems Theory (GST) as a theoretical framework, the country is presented as a social system with identified institutions which function within it that guides and constrains the agency of the individuals who live in Nigeria. A review of academic narratives relevant to the research is presented in this dissertation to provide a context for the study. A critical realist epistemology is adopted for this exploratory study, within the qualitative research tradition. A sample of twenty Nigerian youths living at Summerstrand and Humewood, is selected by the researcher using purposive sampling, and semi-structured interviews are conducted with these participants to gather their opinions and experiences regarding the research study. The narratives are analysed using thematic analysis, and the researcher presents an interpretation of these narratives under various topics in the dissertation. The findings from this study shows how some of these Nigerian youths believe their expression of agency at consuming popular music in Nigeria, to be constrained by certain institutions, and their gender in the country which they are part of, although this constraint could sometimes prove to be positive for some individuals. The recommendations from this research study are relevant to improving youth agency at consuming popular music in Nigeria, and advancing sociological inquiry into popular music and youth agency within an African context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Uwuoruya, Osabuohien Clifford
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Popular culture -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Music and youth -- Africa Africa -- In popular culture Music and globalization -- Africa Socialism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36738 , vital:34049
- Description: The focus of this research study is on investigating how certain Nigerian youths expression of their agency at consuming popular music as a cultural product could be constrained by certain identified institutions and their gender in Nigeria. Using General Systems Theory (GST) as a theoretical framework, the country is presented as a social system with identified institutions which function within it that guides and constrains the agency of the individuals who live in Nigeria. A review of academic narratives relevant to the research is presented in this dissertation to provide a context for the study. A critical realist epistemology is adopted for this exploratory study, within the qualitative research tradition. A sample of twenty Nigerian youths living at Summerstrand and Humewood, is selected by the researcher using purposive sampling, and semi-structured interviews are conducted with these participants to gather their opinions and experiences regarding the research study. The narratives are analysed using thematic analysis, and the researcher presents an interpretation of these narratives under various topics in the dissertation. The findings from this study shows how some of these Nigerian youths believe their expression of agency at consuming popular music in Nigeria, to be constrained by certain institutions, and their gender in the country which they are part of, although this constraint could sometimes prove to be positive for some individuals. The recommendations from this research study are relevant to improving youth agency at consuming popular music in Nigeria, and advancing sociological inquiry into popular music and youth agency within an African context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
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