Literary Narratives and Cultural Identities: A Critical Analysis of Dele A. Sonubi’s the Grand Father’s Mandate

Citation: Azetu Azashi Agyo, "Literary Narratives and Cultural Identities: A Critical Analysis of Dele A. Sonubi’s the Grand Father’s Mandate", Universal Library of Arts and Humanities, Volume 02, Issue 01.

Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Stories have always been powerful vessels of culture, memory, and identity, especially in African literature, where oral traditions continue to shape the way people see themselves and their world. Dele A. Sonubi’s novel, The Grandfather’s Mandate, brings this rich tradition to life by exploring the tensions between Yoruba heritage and the pressures of Western influence. At its heart, the novel follows a protagonist caught between two worlds—torn between honoring his grandfather’s dying wish and navigating the realities of modern society. This struggle echoes W.E.B. Du Bois’s idea of “double consciousness,” the feeling of living between conflicting identities. This study examines how Sonubi weaves Yoruba oral traditions—folktales, proverbs, songs, and incantatory poetry—into the novel, using them not just as storytelling devices but as tools for preserving culture and addressing contemporary social issues. Through a postcolonial lens, the research highlights the novel’s deep reflections on colonialism, neocolonialism, and the ongoing battle between tradition and modernity. A key focus is the Uren River, a powerful symbol of resilience, continuity, and the protagonist’s unbreakable bond with his roots. The findings show that The Grandfather’s Mandate does more than tell a story—it brings Yoruba cosmology to life while tackling complex themes like polygamy, gender roles, and the weight of ancestral obligations. More importantly, it challenges common misconceptions about African traditions, offering a nuanced view of how culture evolves over time. By blending oral storytelling with literary narrative, the novel fills an important gap in scholarship, proving that indigenous traditions are not relics of the past but living, breathing forces that continue to shape identity in a globalized world. Ultimately, Sonubi’s novel is a celebration of cultural resilience, reminding us that identity is not just about where we come from but how we carry our heritage forward. By positioning oral tradition as a bridge between the past and the future, The Grandfather’s Mandate invites readers to rethink the role of storytelling in preserving history, navigating change, and staying connected to one’s roots.

Keywords: Literary Narrative, Cultural Identity, Oral Tradition, Postcolonial Identity, Yoruba Cosmology, Ancestral Mandate.

https://doi.org/10.70315/uloap.ulahu.2025.0201004