CULTURAL HYBRIDITY IN IWOLORI RITUAL DANCE OF EKINRIN-ADDE QUEENS

This study examines the under-researched area of women-centered ritual performances within Indigenous African communities, with a specific focus on the cultural hybridity evident in Iwolori ritual dance of Ekinrin-Adde queens. While broader African ritual practices have received scholarly attention, women-specific rituals remain significantly under-explored. This study therefore illuminates the processes of cultural blending and modification that have resulted in new expressive forms in Iwolori, thereby ascertaining the elements of hybridity in the ritual dance. Drawing upon Homi Bhabha's (1994) theory of hybridity, this study employs a descriptive research design to analyse the form and composition of Iwolori. Data were collected through semi-structured oral interviews with selected Ekinrin-Adde queens, traditional chiefs, and community members. Non-participant observation of the Iwolori ritual dance was also employed as method of gathering data. Findings revealed that dynamic negotiation of tradition, modernity, and female agency are the principal elements of hybridity responsible for the emergent cultural expressions in Iwolori, which have profoundly shaped the cultural landscape of Ekinrin-Adde community. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the complexities and significance of women's cultural expressions in Africa. It recommends the continued documentation of women-based practices, rituals, and performances across Africa to promote global recognition and foster interdisciplinary scholarly engagement.