Niyi Osundare’s Village Voices as People’s Determination and Collective Will

Abstract

Niyi Osundare is a leading poet in Africa today. Though a Yoruba by birth his poetry speaks to the pains and sorrows of ordinary people in Africa and other third world countries. This therefore examines socio-political predicament. Sorrowing ordinary people found in the villages and market places. It equally appraises the manner Osundare appropriates myths, folklore and oral song in his poetry to make it historically appealing to the yearnings and aspirations of the people. As a result, the poet is generally regarded as an audience conscious poet.