Scholarly Works

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://repository.ui.edu.ng/handle/123456789/318

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Afro-arab women and the media misrepresentation: a literary panacea
(Department of Communication and Language Arts, Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, 2017) Akewula, A. O.
Over five decades, there has been a steady growth of interest in studying the representations of Afro-Arab women in media as shown by the increasing number of journal articles of scholars have who have abundantly discussed about the ugly images of these women that have been shown in western media for years. However, research lacks explanation and sufficing solutions to ameliorate such images. Therefore, this paper is an attempt to facilitate the understanding of Afro-Arab women images drawing on the bulk of the theorizing and explain how literature can help undo the mischiefs of misrepresentation. Moreover, it also explores the ways in which the teaching and the promotion of Arabic fiction can help dismantle the misrepresentation of Afro-Arab women in the Western media. Particularly, it demonstrates how Egyptian fiction writer Ikbal Baraka's Li-nazallasdiqa' ila-I-abad(Let's Remain Friends Foreverjcan be used to correct misrepresentations of Afro-Arab women that appeared in media for a long time.
Al-ghuluwu fi al-amsal al-arabiy of postproverbials in modem arabic literature and perceptive transformations in afro-arab culture
(2019) Akewula, A. O.
Al-Ghuluwufi al-amsal al-arabiy (Postproverbial) is a new trend in modem Arabic studies. It is a way to gain the perceptions of learners of the language into Afro-Arabic and Yomba cultures in contemporary times. Through the learning of the subject matter, University of Ibadan students of Arabic Language and Literature explore how much common philosophy is shared between postproverbial expressions in Arabic and Yoruba languages. Afro-Arabic postproverbial demonstrates the trends of modernity within the culture. It absorbs and transforms wisdom accumulated over the few years with the experience of students in their various localities. This paper investigates the exposure to postproverbiality in Arabic among the students of Arabic language and literature who are predominantly Yoruba in the University of Ibadan and how the practice of postproverbials transforms their perceptions and values of Yoruba and Afro- Arab cultural concepts. Thus, two questions are raised: to what extent does the use of postproverbials in the Arabic literature course in the University of Ibadan shed light on Yoruba cultural aspects not regularly covered in Arabic Proverbs? How does the use of postproverbials in the Arabic literature course promote a new understanding among the students and make them discover and reassess their values and preferences in the modem time? The theoretical framework of the paper is adopted from A. Raji-Oyelade’s “Postproverbials in Yomba Culture: A Playful Blasphemy”. The result of this study indicates that students employed their basic knowledge of Arabic language, coupled with their Yomba cultural background, to re-create a number of postproverbial texts within the context of Arabic culture. It also exhibits their level of consciousness in the modem times.
The arabic scene as a foreign language in madaris education in Ibadan metropolis
(Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, 2020) Akewula, A. O.
This study investigated effective technique of teaching and learning Arabic language in the classroom at selected madaris. The study employed the qualitative method. The participants of the study were three students, three teachers and three parents from three identified Arabic schools in Ibadan. The participants were chosen by purposive sampling procedures. The study revealed that the effective technique of teaching and learning Arabic Language namely contents, the material, method of teaching, the teacher behavior, structure of teaching, learning environment, the students, and time allocated for each subject. As shown in the findings, there was lack of teaching methods which was the main factor of failure in teaching and learning of Arabic Language in Ibadan metropolis. At the same time, the study revealed that applying a good strategy in teaching and smart learning was the key to success in acquiring Arabic Language. A suggested model, namely effective technique for the success of Arabic Language is recommended for the success teaching and learning in Ibadan through the case study of students' teachers and parents in selected madaris in Ibadan.
Between the east and the west: islam and the post colonial arabic novels in Libya
(Department of Religious Studies, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, 2015) Akewula, A. O.
This paper explores how Islam appears and as viewed by the public in post colonial Libyan novels. It answers the controversial question regarding the shocking and dramatic change in ideology among Libyan intellectuals, especially the novelists, who switch to western ideologies at a certain stage in their lives. Although, critics have touched the similarity between Islam and Western ideology, but no one has investigated the Arabic novels of Libya that problematise this transformation, leading to a better understanding of this genre of literary creativity. Its emphasis on Islam in post colonial Libyan novels is not intended to minimise the role of non-literary writings by Libyan Arab and non- Libyan writers since the mid-nineteenth century. However, it is the contention of this paper that Islam in post colonial Libyan novels in the post colonial period goes beyond the limit of specific discipline. It is better equipped to provide us with multiple perspectives and concrete situations, which are very important to answer questions that are continually raised by scholars regarding the so-called issues on Islam and Libya post colonial novels.
Classical arabic: a critique of thumadir bint amr’s (al-khansa) poetry
(Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Nigeria, 2019-12) Akewula, A. O.
Classical Arabic is taught in several institutions across the globe especially at the University level where Arabic is a course of study, besides studies of individual scholars and translations of their literary writing. The study is highly concentrated on both poetry and prose written by Arab male writers of classical period. The works ofpoetess in classical Arabic literature have been largely neglected especially that oj Al-Khansa. Scholars and critics fail to realize the extent of their achievements and their abilities to face comparison with other poets in both classical and modern Arabic literature. This paper therefore, explores the balance and provides a conspectus of Thumadir bint Amr popularly known as Al-Khansa’s poetical composition in a such a form as may prove helpful not only to Arabic scholars, but also to inform th readers of Arabic literature. Here in this paper, the expression classica poetry is taken to mean the poetry before the advent of Islam in Arabia!. Peninsula. This paper also introduces classical Arabic poetry preoccupation with people, whether individuals or groups, that is, tribe, party, sect or race. The life and works of selected poetess is also exhibited in the paper with analysis of the work in a classical form. The paper posits that the classical Arabic poetry composed by Thumadir bint Amrhad showcased thy significance of women in literary circle of the period.
Gender, women and word in fawziyyah al-Bakr's hayatu min waraqin
(Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, 2016) Akewula, A. O.
The emergence of gender in Arabic literary writing in the contemporary period is partly traceable to the popularity of women's movement all around the world. This does not, however, mean that before today the Arab literary landscape had neglected issues which border on women's right, the girl-child, women's sexuality, marital obligation among others. In fact, Arabic literary writing since the classical period exemplifies an extremely strong patronage, by poets and prose writers of men and women subjects. A reading of the works of lmru'u'1-Qays, al-Khansa', al-MutannabT among others compels this conclusion. This paper investigates the concept of gender in general and gender in Arab land and Saudi Arabia in particular. In this paper, I briefly analyse the work of a female writer; Fawziyyah Al-Bakrto showcase female literary writers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which are all but ignored in literary scholarship.
Grapho-phonological features in qumashah al-ulayan’s uyunu qadhrah (dirty eyes)
(Global Journals, 2020) Akewula, A. O.
This paper examines the linguistics features of Qumashah al-ulayan's text ‘Uyunu al-Qadhrah (Dirty Eyes) and how these linguistics features enhance meaning achievement. The paper argues that stylistics is a bridge between literary criticism and linguistics. This study, therefore, applies the insights and techniques of general linguistics to investigate the stylistic value of graphological and phonological devices as semantic signifiers in the text. The study deploys M.A.K Holiday's Systemic Functional model as the analytical tool to examine the use of graphology such as punctuations and paragraphing. Phonological devices like repetition, alliteration and rhyme in the text are also examined. The study posits that, at level of language study, graphological and phonological structure play a vital role in encoding the meaning and aesthetics of Qumashah al Ulayan’s text.
An overview of the impact of arab civilizaton on yoruba culture in Nigeria
(The Yoruba Studies Association of Nigeria (YSAN) c/o Department of Linguistics and African Languages University of Ibadan, 2023-01) Akewula, A. O.; Kamorudeen, B. K.
Nigeria was a land where idol worship marked the religious life of the inhabitants. With the advent of Islam which came with its civilization, Nigerians’ faith, rituals, rites, practices and customs changed and impacted the Nigerian culture. Invariably, the contact of the Arabs with the people of Yorubaland in Nigeria brought about a new era in their beliefs. The Arabs who were mainly Muslims and with the focus to spread Islam preached assiduously against the syncretic religious practices of the Yoruba in the Southwestern region of Nigeria. There is no gainsaying the fact that every religion has its own unique identity characterized by traditions, values and norms that make it stand out. Over the centuries, we have observed that the southwestern Nigeria culture is gradually fading away as we adopt Arab civilization and this persists as days go by. The Arab civilization has influenced the Yoruba culture in different domains. Some of the impacts are noticeable in our education, language, borrowing, social activities, entertainment, traditional settings, marriage, naming, burial and funeral rites and widowhood. This paper employs historical method which attempts to examine how Arab civilization influenced Yoruba culture in the aforementioned domains including religion and devotional rites. It is our hope that some aspects of Yoruba Culture that are not inimical to Islamic teachings would be preserved to avoid becoming moribund.
Self and other in umaymah al-khamis’ salma al umaniyyah
(Department of Classics, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, 2014) Akewula, A. O.
This paper explores patterns and perspectives to the construction of Self and Other in Saudi women’s fiction through a close reading of one the works of one of the earliest female writers to emerge in the Kingdom. A study of how this female writer arrived at the construction of the Saudi ‘Self’ in contradistinction to the other raises pertinent questions on notions of identities across cultures and civilizations. The paper examines series of ‘external Others’, established by the author; Umaymah Al-Khamis, whose own literary exposition and journeys enabled her to depict the question of national identity from a new standpoint. It also gives a picture of ‘internal Other’ of women who, for whatever reason, have perceived themselves as occupiers of the peripheries of the society. It draws its theoretical framework from Edward Said and Michel Foucault. In Salma Al-Umaniyyah, Umaymah Al-Khamis exemplifies the slippery texture of the Self and Other as well as its implications for socio-cultural harmony in human societies. The paper consequently contemplates the following questions: Why is it that the existing studies on Saudi Arabian literature, dominated by male writers interested in entrenching male dominance, have ignored the expression of ‘Self’ and ‘Other’ in the literary tradition of the Kingdom? What extent is a ‘Self’ and ‘Other’ factor in the production and consumption of fiction in Saudi Arabia? Why is it that, the author or Salma Ai-Umaniyyah is interested in ‘Self’ and ‘Other’ in her creativity?
Shaykh Awelenji’s contribution to the liberation and globalization of arabic intellectualism in yoruba land
(Department of Arabic & Islamic Studies, University of Ibadan-Nigeria, 2018) Akewula, A. O.
This paper examines the role of Shaykh Awelenje’s globalization of Arabic learning in the liberation process for Afro-Arabic learners in general and Yoruba in particular, using the internal and external experiences of this great scholar of the nineteenth century Nigeria as a case study. A distinct contribution of the paper to the current Arabic literature is many folds: 1) it conceptualizes Arabic learner’s liberation at the global level as a process driven by and contingent upon globalization of Arabic learning whose success is hinged on Arabic intellectual and scholarly legitimation and justification; and 2) it recognizes and demonstrates the liberating potential of globalization and identifies the challenges and limitations of these liberating forces in any attempt to liberate Arabic scholars globally. Drawing on both the case study and the literature on globalization and globalization of Arabic learning the paper concludes that: 1) globalization, driven by al-ilm dalatu-1- Mumin,ayna ma wajadahu akhadhahu, has created favorable conditions and opportunities for a global expansion of Arabic learning, aimed at learner’s liberation globally; 3) to achieve meaningful and realistic liberation of Arabic learners at the global level, liberation must be conceptualized as a long process that involves mutual understanding, education and ultimately, an intellectual revolution based on communicative events, triggered by literary scholarship of the type demonstrated in the life and works of Awlenje and 4) this process must identify and address specific differences among Arabic learners which stem, primarily, from culture, social class, ethnicity, race, nationality, religion, customs, tribal origin, social and political systems and the status of different nations within the so-called global intellectual society, as well as these nations status within the global, religion and political class systems.
Social realism and commitment in husah al-tuwayjir’ wa tula sh‘an min jadidin
(2014-04) Akewula, A. O.
This paper examines the short story written by Husah al-Tuwayjir entitled " Wa (ala Sh ‘an niin jadidin (And My Hair Grew Long Again). The work belongs to that rare category of Saudi Arabian female fiction writers which offers female perspectives to the general corpus of modern Arabic literary repertoire. The paper explores the expansive articulation of female identity that is contested as a negative model in the story and also points to the social and feminist commitment in Arab-Muslim societies, especially in Saudi Arabia. The short fiction written by alTuwayjir, the paper argues, accounts for female experiences that reduce male-female relationships in the given social context to a fundamentally antagonistic one. Al-Tuwayjir’s story is unabashedly a case study of a more convinced but also matter of fact and multifaceted perspective on female experience in the Arabian Peninsula.
Thematic analysis in najat khayyat’s satashriqu al-shamsu yawma “one day the sun will rise”
(Department of European Studies University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, 2015) Akewula, A. O.
Writers such as Najat Khayyat present the status of women not as passive but as women who experience psychological retrieval and decide to reform themselves. Here, I try to analyse her story satashriqu al-shamsu yawma (One day The Sun will Rise) which was published in the year 2001 in mawsucat al-adab al-arabial- sucudi al-hadith. Her writing, in this story, skillfully operates on simple classical Arabic language, al-fushd. It is an enjoyable literary text, written in smooth, fluent and captivating manner. It poses questions about women’s freedom, hope and optimism.