A critical discourse account of the process of ideological expressions in the Ẹdo (Bini) guilds

Abstract The study examines how language, peculiar to members of the guilds in Ẹdo, is used to express their cultural ideology. This is expected to provide the necessary insight and comprehension of the nature of the guilds’ socio-cultural activities resulting in the distinct ideology expressed by them. Data were purposively collected through the indepth interview of key informants (individuals with knowledge of the activities of the guilds examined) and direct observation of the interaction between the members of the different guilds. The collected data were subjected to discursive analysis. The language used by the guilds in interaction among members is a marker of the guilds ideological orientation as this serves to bring members together while at the same time separates those that are not members of the respective guilds. The choice of language use by these groups therefore is determined by the ideological orientation of the guilds which seeks to maintain the relevance and supremacy of the group in the larger Ẹdo (Bini) society.