Functionalism and Traditional Leadership Powerplay: Conceptualizing the Interface in Bakare Rasaki’s Rogbodiyan

Abstract

Arguably, every traditional human society has a distinct culture and laid down rules expected to be adhered to without violation, to guarantee it as egalitarian society. Observably, most of these rules that are traditionally enshrined in the culture of the people are often downplayed and ignored by individualistic personalities in the society through manipulative powerplay. Leaning on the theory of Functionalism which presents a perspective that focuses on the functions of organizations, social structures and norms in the society, this paper examines the concept of leadership powerplay in Rogbodiyan. Based on a qualitative content analysis approach, it is observed that Rogbodiyan positions as a reflection of contextual realities that define the leadership structure in some African countries as it presents a situation of leadership struggle in a typical African traditional society where some of the leaders exhibit orientations of collectivism when societal concerns are discussed but their elements of individualism are revealed when the curtains are dropped. It therefore presents a position where these characters could be judged as supporting collective growth whereas their personal agenda is the opposite. It concludes that, in quest for power, the characters in Rogbodiyan seem to be wearing a mask that only comes off in the secret or when their aims are achieved, and they have something at stake of which the people would not want to lose but succumb to their demands.