Oríkì is a Yoruba cultural phenomenon that can be interpreted in English as praise poetry or eulogy. It is a form of oral literature that includes both single praise names and long strings of "attributive epithets" that may be recited or chanted. Oríkì is a way of invoking praise to a child for bringing pride to the parents or to attempt to evoke virtuous character traits of bravery, fortitude, and perseverance that are believed to be innate in a person by pedigree. It is also used to recite the accomplishments of a persons clan. Oríkì varies in length depending on whether it is the name given to a child to describe the future portents of life or a recital of the accomplishments of a persons clan.
Oríkì includes special oriki for families, towns, animals, subethnic groups, and more. It is usually accompanied by a talking drum called "gangan". Oríkì names are panegyric, meaning that they are given to praise someone, usually praising certain characteristics that people think a child possesses. Oríkì names can be divided into two categories: oríkì jáǹtìrẹrẹ, which are long and chanted or sung, and oríkì ṣókí, which are short and informal.
