- Pay homage to influential and respectable members of the society, including rulers, chiefs, community leaders, warriors, and people known for their wisdom and generosity.
- Celebrate achievements, significant life events, such as victories in conflicts and festivals, or notable accomplishments in various fields.
- Convey admiration, gratitude, loyalty to patrons or communities that supported the poets.
- Strengthen social order by reinforcing cultural values, ethical behaviors, and encouraging communal living
- Pass on historical accounts, social lessons, and narratives for educational purposes and preserving cultural narratives.
- Create art using verbal artistry while also demonstrating their skill by showcasing their proficiency in the poetic form in terms of style, imagery, metaphor, and verbal fluency.