The Social Contexts Of Selected Yoruba Traditional Musical Forms

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the social contexts and their influences on the developments of Yoruba traditional musical forms. Historical research design was adopted for the systematic and intensive enquiry into social events and development of musical experiences of the Yoruba people. Fieldwork was conducted in Oyo Alaafin, Ijio, Ketu Republic of Benin, Tube, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Ijebu-Igbo, Kupalo Village in Ibadan and Ipaja Village. Data were collected through observations of musical performances, unstructured oral interviews and key informants. Four major Yoruba kings including chiefs, elders and traditional deity worshippers were interviewed. Relevant information was collected from the field with the recordings of musical performances, objects, films and photographs of festivals, libraries and the internet. Data were analyzed with both external and internal validity evidences used to ascertain the accuracy and originality of contents. Descriptive textual and structural analysis of data revealed the aims, significance and objectives of the study. Findings from the analysis revealed that the Yoruba traditional musical forms were usually determined by such factors like religion, cultural beliefs, functions of the music, the zeitgeist, resources of performance, and external influences like education, and adoption of foreign life style. Similarly, the structural analysis revealed the authentic musicological principles behind the Yoruba traditional musical forms. In addition, the classification of Yoruba music was determined by the social and historical facts of the Yoruba people. The implication of the findings for policy and practice were also discussed. The classification of the Yoruba musical trends should be adopted with modification to serve as periodization of Nigerian music. The school music curriculum should be re-designed to reflect the social contexts currently available in the study of Yoruba traditional musical forms. The result of the contextual and structural analysis should be adopted and form one of the theoretical basis in Nigerian art musical compositions and theoretical analysis.