D. O. Fágúnwà on Progress, Development and Modernization: A Semiotic Study

Abstract

This paper presents a semiotic study of Daniel O. Fágúnwà’s engagement with the concepts of progress, development, and modernization, articulated through the Yorùbá terms Ìlọsíwájú, Ìdàgbàsókè, and Ọ̀làjú. While Fágúnwà’s narratives are deeply rooted in Yorùbá oral tradition and worldview, this analysis argues that he was a visionary proponent of change who sought to reconcile indigenous values with modernity rather than simply preserving the past.

Focusing on three of his novels—Ògbójú Ọdẹ nínú Igbó Irúnmọlẹ̀, Ìrìnkèrindò nínú Igbó Elégbèje, and Ìrèké Oníbùdó—the study employs cultural semiotics to decode the symbolism inherent in the characters' quests, challenges, and environments. The paper demonstrates that the protagonists' perilous journeys are allegories for the societal search for advancement. Fágúnwà highlights that challenges are an inevitable part of development and that virtues such as determination, perseverance, and collectivism are essential for overcoming them.

The analysis reveals Fágúnwà’s emphasis on exposure (Ìrírí) and education as crucial catalysts for progress, contrasting the limited knowledge of a static, rural existence with the expanded worldview gained through travel and new experiences. Ultimately, the paper concludes that Fágúnwà presents Ìlọsíwájú, Ìdàgbàsókè, and Ọ̀làjú as an indispensable "tripod of human existence," advocating for a progressive transformation that skillfully blends cultural heritage with the imperatives of the modern world.

Keywords: D.O. Fágúnwà, Yorùbá literature, semiotics, progress, development, modernization, tradition, cultural studies.

DOI: 10.7176/DCS/15-2-05

Publication date: July 30^th 2025