Exploring the Dimensions of Language and Myth in Kunle Afolayan’s Aníkúlápó

Abstract

The nexus of language and mythology discussed in this paper concerns the 2022 Nigerian epic fantasy film Aníkúlápó by Kunle Afolayan. The discussion is based on the concepts of dialogism and heteroglossia, which are developed by Mikhail Bakhtin as the process of interaction of various voices and cultural attitudes in a narrative. The research employs a qualitative design that combines textual and cultural contextualization to demonstrate the functioning of these linguistic instruments all over the film in dialogue forms, proverbs, ritual oratory, and allusions to mythology. The results show that language in Aníkúlápó goes beyond the normal communication. Dialogues are used to represent the cultural and social relationships of the Yoruba, proverbs and references to mythology bring in a religious background and history. Language is used as a means of Yoruba cosmology and worldview through linguistic symbolism, including the appearance of the spirit beings, the àkúdàáyà, and the transformative force of Saro. The paper ends with a conclusion that Aníkúlápó uses language as a great weapon of keeping Yoruba mythology and Yoruba culture in its place and translating them to modern narrations. These two roles make the film a work of art and a cultural library. It advises African filmmakers to use the native languages and mythological values not only to enrich the narrative but also to protect the culture of the people and scholars need to discuss more the concept of cinema as a tool of preserving the intangible heritage of Africa.