Abstract

This article investigates exploits of women in Urhobo society by examining the representation of Urhobo women in oral and written literatures. The aim is to establish the fact that women enjoyed a measure of prominence, authority and independence right from pre-colonialthrough contemporary times. It argues against the frequently projected impression that women have largely been inactive and less vibrant in political, economic, social and religious affairs especially in traditional times. The study adduces this lopsided representation of female power and role in Urhobo society to the dominance and prejudicial perspectives favoured by male chroniclers as well as lack of proper/authentic documentation of the activities of Urhobo women. It concludes that many factors, including colonialism, have almost completely erased female power and role as complements of men‘s in Urhobo society and recommends a re-examination of the pre-colonial structure of gender relations, rather than the indiscriminate clamour for equality of the sexes.

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