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1 Uluslararas Sosyal Ara t rmalar Dergisi The Journal of International Social Research Cilt: 6 Say : 27 Volume: 6 Issue: 27 Yaz 2013 Summer 2013 Issn: 1307-9581 ART SYMBOLS AS MEANS OF COMMUNICATING RELIGIOUS CONCEPTS IN URHOBO TRADITIONAL SOCIETY Philomina Uyovwirume OFUAFO Abstract We examined in this paper that the usefulness of art as SYMBOLS in communication of religious thought in Urhobo. He describes human behaviour as symbolic behaviour as symbol is the universe of humanity.

2 SYMBOLS of religious art could help in achieving higher mystical exercise and spiritual velopment, such as divination, medication and education. Keywords: Art SYMBOLS , Religious Concept. INTRODUCTION This essay examines the usefulness of art as SYMBOLS in communication of religious thought in Urhobo. It may be misleading and wrong for one to state a definite time and point in history of mankind when and where man started to symbolize; rather it is safer to indicate that symbolization processes of mankind probably started through man s attempt to overtly express his series of inner religious experience in his culture.

3 This is probably the reason why human beings have been described as cultural beings on the ground that they are symbol-using animals. For example, White says that, all human behaviour consists of, or is dependent upon the use of SYMBOLS . He describes human behaviour as symbolic behaviour as symbol is the universe of humanity. It has been established that the non-symbolic behaviour of man such as yawning, stretching, coughing, crying and feeding are not peculiar to man but symbolic behaviour such as communication with articulate speech use of amulets, confession of sins, law-making, dreams, etc, are unique features which only man is capable of because as White puts it.

4 Symbolic behaviour is that of man There are varieties of SYMBOLS in existence and these are said to take many forms and have functions and meanings at various times and place. In the course of this essay, emphasis will be placed more on SYMBOLS that communicate religious concepts with particular reference to Urhobo traditional society. The Urhobo will be identified and some definitions of SYMBOLS will be examined to give insight to the problem. Relationship between SYMBOLS and religious will be discussed and some classification of symbolic importance of art objects will be attempted.

5 Political History of the Urhobo People the Urhobo territory lies within latitudes 6 and 51) North of the Equator and longitude 50, 40 and 6 25 East of the Meridian of Greenwich This is the territory that could be referred to as Urhobo land in this paper. Urhobo territory is bounded on the West by the Itsekni, on the North by the Bini on the south by the Ijo, on the northeast by the Ukwani and on the east by the Isoko. Creative-Arts Department, University of Lagos.

6 - 393 - The Urhobo people are not among the major language groups in Nigeria. They are therefore not well known as a veritable force to be reckoned with in national politics, as this probably accounts for the general neglect of Urhobo in economic and social distribution. The origin of the Urhobo is an unproven issue which affirms that they regard themselves as descendants from a common ancestor. The customary practice among the Urhobo is of a patrilineal inheritance, age-grade, social stratification, are reasons for one to believe that they are descendants from a common ancestor.

7 Colonial intelligence reports indicate that the bulk of the Urhoho migrated into the Delta largely from Benin Kingdom in 1370 during the reign of Oba Egbeka1. What is symbol? Of all the creatures of both the animals and vegetable kingdoms, man is the only one who possesses the creative powers in mental and psychic forms. It is true that animals and plants of all species, even the smallest of the microscopic creatures, have the powers to reproduce themselves through sexual processes but man possesses, in addition, the power to artificially create SYMBOLS .

8 Man is the only creature that has the ability to reflect on his experience and express it with SYMBOLS . This creative power is part of the Divine consciousness within every human being and it is this element of divine consciousness which distinguishes man from all other living Therefore memory, imagination and religious experience are the symbolizing functions of the human mind. Moreover, science, art, myths, dreams and rituals are all manifestations of SYMBOLS . SYMBOLS could be defined as objects, acts, relationship or linguistic formations that stand for a multiplicity of meaning This definition indicates that there are different symbolic forms and that it is possible for one symbolic form to be given several interpretations and these interpretations could be given at different levels, depending on the level of the interpreter s consciousness and intelligence.

9 Thus what a particular object symbolises for people A at time A m be different from that of people B in culture at time B and vice versa. According to Nabofa, a symbol could be defined as an overt expression of what is behind the veil of direct perception It is quite usual for a perceiver to express his inner experience, sight or visions and mystical or religious experience in SYMBOLS . Words, myths. proverbs, parables, icons and masks are powerful and enduring SYMBOLS for conveying religious truth.

10 Onigu Otite sees symbol as agents which are impregnated with messages and with invitation to conform and to act when decoded in their social and cultural context, they are found to have both cognitive and emotional meaning For example, the axe or the meteorite stones found in most of the cults of God and solar divinities in Vest Africa convey the meaning and idea about the wrath of God and it also shows the purity of God and His impartial justice. The sign of such artistic object reminds and urges the devotee to lead a pure and honest life of order to avoid the wrath of God.