The state of documentation and archiving of musical practices in Nigeria

Abstract

Tangible and intangible materials of our culture stand the chance of obliteration, mutilation and corruption if international standard of documentation and archiving is not put in place to ensure their preservation and promotion. The discourse on the state of documentation and archiving of musical practices in Nigeria is, therefore, germane to the assessment and evaluation of our documentation and archiving practices. With the rich musical heritage in Africa, especially in Nigeria, it is imperative to find out whether there are structures responsible for the documentation and archiving of musical practices, including indigenous music creativity and performances, festivals, popular music, and art music. What are the tools for documentation and archiving of music and musical practices in Nigeria and what is the state of this establishment, if any? This keynote address interrogates the various issues arising from the subject matter through oral history or interviews, archival and museum sources and secondary research methods using the library sources. The research reveals that documentation of music performances is still at the primary level in Nigeria and in the hands of very few patriots or companies. The government and private sector have to invest in the documentation and archiving of music and musical practices in Nigeria to preserve tangible and intangible materials, ideal cultural heritage and ethnography, authentic performance practices, and to promote music tourism, research studies and publications. This address concludes with recommendations towards effecting an enduring documentation and archiving of musical practices in Nigeria.