Sculptural Props as Creative and Communicative Tools for Cultural Preservation, Documentation, and Promotion in Indigenous Yoruba Movies in Nigeria

Abstract

Sculptural artifacts are visual embodiments of cultural memory, identity, and creativity. They are veritable means of visual story-telling and cultural narratives, particularly in indigenous movies. However, many of these tangible heritages face threats of destruction from rapid urban expansion, natural disasters, neglect, and the deliberate actions of man. In Nigeria, particularly within Yoruba communities of Southwest, several sculptures that once defined communal spaces have disappeared due to modern construction, weathering, and commercialisation. This paper argued that indigenous Yoruba movies could serve as alternative platforms for documenting and preserving the endangered sculptural forms. Through the creative integration of sculptural props, filmmakers would not only enrich visual storytelling but also immortalise sculpture, which is fading as a means of preserving cultural heritage. The paper adopted a theoretical discourse approach, emphasizing interpretive analysis that drew insights from Cultural Memory Theory, complemented by a newly formulated Artefact Cinematic Bridge Theory. The theories postulated that sculptural props are mediators between tangible cultural heritage and cinematic expressions. The study established the communicative and creative roles of sculptural props as vehicles for cultural preservation, documentation, and promotion in indigenous Yoruba movies. It advocated for the strategic inclusion, archiving, and scholarly documentation of sculptural elements in Yoruba movies as tools for sustaining Nigeria’s artistic and cultural continuity amid urban and environmental transformations.