Taboos, Appropriation, and Perlocution: An Analysis of Public Reactions to Tope Alabi’s “Aboru Aboye”

In June 2023, veteran Nigerian gospel musician Tope Alabi, came under fierce public scrutiny for using expressions associated with the Yoruba traditional religion and worship of orishas (deities) in her Christian music. The particular expression that many took offence to was her utterance of “Aboru Aboye”, an expression of greeting particularly associated with the worshippers and followers of the Yoruba traditional religion of Ifa. This paper investigates the ensuing controversy, employing Speech Act Theory. Through a thematic analysis of online reactions, the study explores the perlocutionary effects of linguistic choices of Tope Alabi on her audience, many of whom regarded her utterance as taboo. Also, reactions of commentators vary from outright denouncement to full embrace of the utterance as a valid expression of cultural identity and artistic freedom. By examining the diverse responses to music of Alabi, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding cultural appropriation and the nature of religious language in a multicultural context.