The exodus and identity formation in view of the origin and migration narratives of the Yoruba

[摘要] This study examines the exodus event and its impact on identity formation in the light of theorigin and migration narratives of the Yoruba people. On the one hand, it is observed thatmigration is not only an ancient but a universal phenomenon. Its rootedness in Africa and itsprofound influence on identity formation are therefore brought to the fore by comparing theorigin and migration narratives of the Yoruba with those of the Tiv and the amaZulu. Thefindings show that certain elements of the origin and migration narratives such as a commonancestor, a common ancestral home, a common belief in Supreme Deity etc., provide a basisfor identity formation and recognition among these Africans, in particular, the Yoruba.On the other hand, the study focuses on the Sea event in Exodus 14-15:18 which is composedof both a narrative and a poetic rendition of the sea-crossing by the children of Israel. In theSea event, Israel acknowledged in story and song that it was Yahweh who as a warrior,delivered its people from the hand of Pharaoh and took them safely to the other side of theSea. This research shows that a literary consideration of the text and especially of theinterplay between prose and poetry points to Yahweh as the main character in the Sea event.Consequently, Israel's identity is defined in Yahweh whose own identity as warrior anddeliverer brought Israel victory over the Egyptians and paved the way for a new nation in anew land. In this sense, Israel's identity is assumed to be a theological one.It is argued that the Yoruba origin and migration narratives help to bring to light thememories of exodus and Israel's recollection of Yahweh as the root of its identity. Thenarratives help to appreciate more clearly Yahweh's role in the midst of his people and thehis centrality to Israel's self-understanding even as they show that these can provide valuableresources in today's world where migration and the struggle for identity are features that arenot likely to fade away. Besides, the juxtaposition of cosmogonic myths and migrationtheories in attesting to the elements of Yoruba identity formation, have a parallel in theblending of both cosmic and migration elements in Exodus 14-15:18. This blending alsoforegrounds the role of Yahweh in the Sea event.In addition, the study suggests that the interaction between prose and poetry in the Sea eventis an instance of a separate genre which further research may confirm in Yoruba, especially infolk-tales and in oríkì-oríle (praise names/epithet).

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University