ABSTRACT
This study analyses two renowned Nigerian novels, namely: Elechi Amadi’s The Concubine and Debo Kotun’s Àbíkú, drawing from their narratives elements of culture which are particular to the Igbo and Yoruba ethnic groups of Nigeria. The study explored features of culture such as the African worldview, belief systems, traditional practices, myths, marriage rites, burial rites, rituals, sacrifices and traditional names. Instances of these practices were drawn from both texts. This study is carried out using the qualitative research methodology which involves collecting and analysing non-numerical data such as text, video, or audio to understand concepts, opinions, or experiences. Scenarios where cultural practices took place and traditional elements portrayed are collected, and analysed to illustrate how culture is preserved through the literary works and its significance to the people who are part of that ethnic group. Furthermore, the theoretical background for this research is the Afrocentricity theory which entails appreciating and making Africa the centre of a work in totality. This theory was propounded by Molefi Kete Asante in 1980 and popularized through his books namely; The Afrocentric Idea published in 1988 and Afrocentricity published, 1987. After carrying out this research, it was discovered that the precolonial society was organized and had an intelligent political structure. Also, it is discovered that the belief systems of people are not just mere ideologies that people subscribe to all in the name of hope, rather they are convictions born out of results which have been consistent from one generation to another. Finally, due to modernization and globalization, the younger generation tend to embrace modern progress in science and technology, thereby forsaking instructional materials used by the older generation. Therefore, culture should be preserved through any form of literature, which research has shown gets to the younger generation faster through technology and, has great impact on them. Readers are educated about people’s cultures when it is illustrated in literary works.
