EFFICACY OF EGUNGUN ELEWE AS EXTRAMUNDANE COMMUNICATION CHANNEL BETWEEN IGBOMINA PEOPLE AND THEIR ANCESTORS IN THE NEW NORMAL

Extramundane communication is one of the traditional communication systems enshrined in the belief systems of various cultural settings of African people. It is an admixture of the peoples‟ culture, customs, norms, religions and traditions. Extramundane communication manifests in and as cultural celebrations or festivals. One of the popular festivals in parts of Africa, Nigeria and most especially among the Yoruba people of Southern Nigeria is Egungun (masquerade). There are different types of Egungun. One of them is Egungun Elewe. The Igbomina sub-group of the Yoruba race is best known as the custodian of Egungun Elewe. Egungun Elewe as a channel of extramundane communication performs so many functions in the communication psyche of Igbomina people before the breakout of COVID-19 which facilitate traditional connectivity between them and their ancestors. Existing studies seem not to pay attention to this. This study therefore examines the efficacy and relevance of Egungun Elewe as channel of extramundane communication in Igbominaland most especially in the new normal. Historical research method, combined with participant observation and in-depth interviews, was used for this study. Data gathered through primary and secondary sources were deployed in analytical and narrative manners. Findings show that Egungun Elewe as channel of extramundane communication among the Igbomina people of Yoruba race is as effective and relevant in the new normal as it was in the pre COVID-19 era and that its proper deployment will play greater roles in addressing the series of challenges the people are facing in all aspects of their lives in the new normal.