Analysis of Bèmbé music of Obàfèmi Owódé Community, Ogun State South West Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examined the structural forms of Bèmbé music in Obàfèmi Owódé local government area of Abeokuta in Ògùn State. It also investigated the content and context of Bèmbé musical performance among the people with specific reference to rituals. The study equally examined the musical instruments used in Bèmbé musical performance and categorised them under the Sachs and Honbostel system of classification. The performances of the Arífáyò family band were recorded and their songs randomly selected then subsequently analysed after the collection of relevant data from the field. Through detailed analysis, the study reveals salient elements of call and response with varied improvisations used in the music. It also established the multiple function of music performance in the context of social interaction and religious experience.