The Sociological Essence of Music in Burial: An Analysis of Akwa Oke –Nwanyi in Umunikem Community in Imo State

Abstract

Music in traditional African setting is the soul which is ultimately concerned with various customs and religious practices. The African is born, fortified, initiated and buried with music. Music is a powerful part in African burials; it goes a long way to expose the deeds of deceased when he/she was alive. In some cultures, death is a scary thing to think about. A lot of people fear death and are saddened by it. But the sociological content of music on the burial of deceased serves as a landmark in the minds of people he/she left behind to mourn. The type of research methodology to be used in this paper would involve interviews and critical analysis on Akwa Oke-Nwanyi songs on some selected burials. This paper therefore looked at the sociological essence of burial music by taking a critical analysis of Akwa-Oke Nwaanyi.

Key Word: Music in Burials; Akwa Oke-Nwanyi; Sociological of Music