THE ROLE OF LOCAL TRADITIONS IN PRESERVING HISTORICAL NARRATIVES : A CASE STUDY OF THE EGBAS IN YORUBALAND,

ABSTRACT This study examines the significance of local traditions in preserving historical narratives, using the Egbas in Yorubaland as a case study. The research aims to investigate how oral traditions, cultural practices, and communal memory have contributed to the preservation of Egba history. Specifically, the objectives are to analyze the role of oral storytellers, cultural festivals, and traditional institutions in transmitting historical knowledge, and to assess the impact of modernization on these traditional preservation methods. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining primary and secondary sources. Primary data were collected through indepth oral interviews with Egba elders, traditional leaders, and local historians, as well as participant observation of cultural festivals and rituals. Secondary data were sourced from existing literature, including books, articles, journals, and archival records related to Yoruba history, cultural studies, and oral traditions. The findings reveal that local traditions have played a vital role in preserving Egba historical narratives, with oral storytellers and cultural festivals serving as critical channels for transmitting historical knowledge. The study highlights the importance of traditional institutions, such as the Ogboni and Obas, in maintaining historical records and cultural heritage. However, modernization and urbanization have posed significant challenges to these traditional preservation methods, emphasizing the need for documentation and integration of Egba history into formal educational curricula to ensure its continued relevance and transmission to future generations..