Organology and socio-philosophical functions of juu,a traditional musical instrument of the Berom people

Abstract

This paper harnesses the organological prowess of the Berom people who had a link with the ancient Nok Terracotta Civilization of West-Africa. In a rescue mission of documenting the fast-fading native musical practice among some Berom communities in which the juu musical instrument was sacred to, the researcher aims at notifying musicologists of his findings. Already, there is a dire need to declare a state of emergency on the indigenous music of the minority ethnic groups of central Nigeria, which is fast becoming extinct. With much interest in the rich micro-polyphonic rhythms of the 21st century which are gaining interest in the musical world today, attention is deviated from the smooth flow and routing in the instrumental musical practice of the Beromic people of central Nigeria. The organology and the socio-philosophical function of the juu musical instrument of the Berom people will only serve a path-way to yoking other mouthwatering musical features that are embedded in the music of the Berom people most especially their use of polyphony in their vocal music, use of micro-tone intervals while tuning their melo-rhythmic musical instruments such as the Kundung Xylophone among others. Relying on the observatory, documented materials such as the books and the internet sources, historical narrative from makers, and player of the instruments the research foundation was laid.