Names and naming characters in African-language dramaturgy: the Yoruba example

Abstract

This paper is a conceptual study of onomastics in the writings of Yoruba dramatists, focusing on a number of areas such as naming and cultural observance; naming and history; and naming, punning, and name-play. The study reveals that Yoruba playwrights, in general, make good use of names and naming to express opinions or make philosophical comments regarding characters and roles assigned to them. Furthermore, the research suggests that names selected by Yoruba playwrights serve as windows into their artistic methods, reflecting the playwrights? maneuvering hands, their intentions, their frameworks, and their literary superstructures. Names, therefore, help to identify character types, reflect philosophical and moral positions that characters represent, and provide clues to the meaning of texts. This paper then concludes that names, for Yoruba playwrights, are not mere ornamental devices, but rather vital aspects of their literary art.