A sociolinguistic analysis of farefari praise poetry The case of Booni dialect

Abstract

This thesis largely examines Farefari praise poetry (FPP) collected from natural settings in the Bongo communities of Upper East Region. The study attempts to analyze the praise poetry based on a sociolinguistic point of view, using Dell Hymes’ (1974) SPEAKING model. The main objectives of the study includes; (i) to discuss social contexts for the use of Farefari praise poetry (ii) to examine some figurative languages employed in Farefari praise poetry (iii) to discuss some of the functions of the Farefari praise poetry. The main sources of data for the work were primary and secondary. It stresses ethnographic contexts for praise poetry; Boadu (1990) outlines certain occasions where praise poetry is performed such as; festivals, ceremonial occasions like puberty rites in the olden days, marriage rites and weddings, outdooring, ascensions to office, i.e. enstoolment/enskinment of chiefs and funeral ceremonies. In Farefari society, the occasions portray the kind of praise poetry to recite. It is a taboo to use praise poetry meant for death in the normal domestic working places. Also, I looked at the functions of praise poetry, some of the figurative languages used, and how the composers apply the techniques which govern the genre, emphasizes the widespread nature of the art of praising in Farefari society. It is a specialist activity. The composition and the performance of praise poetry are said to be co–temporal. The study considers praise poetry as performance art rather than a one-dimensional verbal art but also explores the form and content of the poetry. Finally, the study unearths some effects praise poetry causes, which includes; physiological, emotional, economical, and spiritual effects.