CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

In Africa and probably other parts of the world, music is regarded not only as a medium of artistic expression but also as providing an avenue for individual and corporate expression of experience. In religious rituals, sacrifices and worship in general, music is used to praise chiefs, wealthy people and other important personalities in the community as well as in contact between man and man, man‘s object of worship, music forms a means of communication. (Mathins, 2017). Many instrumental and vocal genres are widespread in Africa. The repertoire of songs in vocal music is large. It includes songs of praise, songs of insult, funeral songs, proverbial songs, songs of criticism and commentary and general songs. The importance of many of the songs lies in their richness as sources of information about the African conceptualization of the universe. Quite often an insight into the full meaning of the songs is obtained only when the music is viewed in its socio-cultural setting.(Gabriel, 2015)

Music is one of the creative aspects of culture and its study can therefore lead to an understanding of the basic human problems of creative life as well as the values, goals and meaning of the culture in which it functions. Music as an art has been a vital and functional part of communities and their environs. It serves as both recreational medium and in other activities which these communities participates in. Music therefore is an integral part of culture which is seen as ―the people‘s way of life‖. Culture, as the people‘s way of life includes their total shared common behavioral patterns that make up their tradition. These traditions also follow set down rules that include their social, religious, and cultural practices. Music is therefore a part of people‘s culture; hence to study the music of a particular society is to study its culture. Music occurs in almost every social, cultural and religious activities organized among societies in Nigeria. (Akinson, 2016). Traditional music among societies is used in various activities and for different occasions. It was orally transmitted and owned by the communities where the music exists, not by individuals. Traditional music was therefore a communal collection of the societies; hence every member of the society participates actively in musical activities which reflect the people‘s cultural heritage. Hickok (2016) remarks that, ―nowhere in the world is music more a part of the very process of living than in Africa. Almost all communal activities are accompanied by singing, dancing and drumming. These three are rarely separated; they are interdependent.

 Nzewi, (2017) reiterates that in indigenous Africa, music is closely interwoven with how the society or community conducts its political, religious, health, economic, educational and social affairs. He further stresses that everybody in an indigenous African community grows up with basic musicality acquired through obligatory participation, in any capacity, in appropriate  musical arts performance sites from childhood (linton, 2018). He concludes that exceptional expertise is recognized even at a tender age.‖ Traditional music is therefore a collective effort of a community and every activity that is organized in an indigenous society is heralded with music either vocal, instrumental or a combination. These performances are usually accompanied with musical instruments and clapping. Traditional music among societies is a bonding force that serves as a medium for entertainment, social relationships and religious practices. It serves as a tool to learning their languages, proverbs, habits, histories etc, and these are learnt through their folk songs. Onyeji (2018) also notes that, as an art form, indigenous music of Africa reflects the culture of Africa as well as it is a cultural form in its own right,while Hornbostel (2018) stresses that, it (indigenous music) is the life of a living spirit working within those who dance and sing. Everything that makes up a society is therefore reflected in their traditional music which acts as one of the medium of communication among them and the outside world. It gives a view about what that community is engaged in, what they believe in and how they portray their culture, using their indigenous music.

Merriam (2014) notes that music is clearly indispensable to the promulgation of activities that constitute a society . Every cultural activity (ranging from birth to death) is portrayed with music; music as you work, music for children games, for lullaby, music for festivals and music for burial ceremonies, there is also music for marriages, music when a child is born, music for naming, music for circumcision, etc.  The aforementioned music types are part of the society‘s cultural heritage since they mirror the cultural beliefs and practices. This musical activities and practices are also socially controlled; hence, it will be out of place to see members of the community singing dirges while they work. Every society in Africa therefore have a patterned activity which is distinct and unique and almost all of these are heralded or reflected in their folk songs, and dances which are most often accompanied with traditional instruments. Udoh, (2015) also contends that traditional music is a communal property with spiritual qualities that are shared and experienced by all‖ . Traditional music is therefore a communal heritage that belongs to the people which they guide, develop, create and celebrate to portray their culture. Udoh (2012) notes that, ―it is a product of the society and fundamentally, a collection art….an embodiment of a people‘s culture- their way of life. Music is therefore inter woven with the culture of societies since it gives a clear picture of the existence of a society and what constitutes that society as regards their norms and values, their dos and don‘ts. Music also has a communicative potency that keeps members of the society abreast of everything that occurs within them and how to react to such occurrences, either negatively or positively. This however brings the people together as one and leads them to a state of wholeness where their norms and customs are upheld and truly maintained. Traditional African music and culture are therefore inseparable since music follows the African in the stages of life, reflecting through both the events that occur at each stage and even the differences that also occur in the life of the African.

Nzewi, (2015) points out that music makes human; it supervises, explains and illuminates the human society‖ (VII). Nzewi here is pointing out the inseparable nature of culture and music since culture also does the same. It makes the human in a society, it molds them, hence, these are reflected in the knowledgeable 4 practices of norms and values that govern them and when these norms and values are practiced and adhered to, that society is identified and recognized through its cultural practices. Music forms part of the cultural practices – it portrays the society‘s way of life in an aesthetic and artistic form. This is reflected in their songs, dances and traditional religious worship. Music is therefore, not an isolated art, but a performing art form which a society uses as an explanatory forum of who they are, what they do, what they believe in and how they live. Music and culture therefore explain and illuminate the society. Blacking (2016) contends that music is not an isolated art but described it as a humanly organized sound. Okafor, (2015) further explains that: the implication here (i.e. on Blackings statements) is that, though there are many sounds in creation, some natured, others made by living things; only sounds which have been deliberately organized by man to specific ends – expressions of emotion, communication of ideas, touching the senses and the emotions, calming the nerves or turning the minds to certain plains of communication and worship  only these sounds deliberately organized by man qualify to be called music.

highlighting its cultural, social, and emotional impact.

Statement of the Problem

Marriage is a significant cultural institution that reflects the traditions, values, and heritage of a society. traditional marriage ceremonies are deeply rooted in customs, with music playing a vital role in enhancing the celebratory atmosphere, reinforcing cultural identity, and facilitating key aspects of the ceremony. Despite its importance, the role of music in traditional marriage is often overlooked, with limited academic research exploring its influence on the structure, meaning, and emotional depth of these ceremonies.

In recent times, the growing influence of modernity and Western-style weddings has led to a decline in the use of indigenous musical forms in traditional marriage ceremonies. Many young couples opt for contemporary wedding styles, sidelining traditional musical performances such as ewi (chants), oriki (praise poetry), and folk songs that convey messages of love, unity, and family values.