Documenting and archiving dundun music as a complete Yoruba art tradition

Abstract

Dundun drumming is the traditional musical practice of the Yoruba people of Nigeria. Traditionally, dundun drumming is exclusive to the Ayan drums family. The dundun is a ubiquitous talking drum in most Yoruba traditional music, used for communication by the drummers. Although the dundun was historically used only in secular music, nonetheless it is now employed also in sacred music. Dundun ensemble consist of either homogenous dundun (Iya-ilu, gudugudu, omele isaaju, omele atele, kanango and kerikeri) drums or a heterogenous ensemble including other membranophones (bata and gangan) and idiophones (sekere and agogo). These instruments are also gender stereotyped, having different musical and cultural roles, with the Iya-ilu leading the ensemble. Dundun music also engage other artistic (theatrical, dance, mask and social) practices in Yoruba culture. This study examines the dundun practice as a complete musical and cultural art and also aims at archiving this artistic heritage of the Yoruba. The qualitative study employs descriptive and content analysis research methodology, with data elicited through observation, oral interviews and bibliographical evidences. The study revealed the musical (rhythmic, melo-rhythmic, stylistic) and cultural (sacred, linguistic, dance) practices and functionalities of dundun music as a complete Yoruba art form. Consequently, such art forms, which include music, drama, poetry, dance, mask and costume, serve historical commemoration and documentation of a society, worth archiving. The study thus recommends further research and archiving of Nigerian musical and cultural practices, towards their globalization and preservation.