Towards the documentation of Yoruba traditional musical forms for national development: Orin Ibeji of Igbo-Ora people of Oyo State, western Nigeria

Abstract

Orin Ìbejì refers to the song for twins, which is a cultural practice in many parts of Yorubaland. The paper explores and analyses the forms in Orin Ìbejì of Igbo-Ora people as an example of ‘documents’ that require documentation. The paper puts the spotlight on the forms in Orin Ìbejì traditional music as that which grows from the cultural womb of the society that produces them. This, according to the paper, is the major factor that dictates the structural patterns emanating from different types of Orin Ìbejì. An examination of the ontology of Orin Ìbejì, its forms, the importance of the concept of documentation, and documentation of forms in Orin Ìbejì, to encourage national development is undertaken by the paper. Observation, archival and interview methods were used as the methodological approach of sourcing for data. Musical scores and song text were analysed, and different forms in Orin Ìbejì were identified. The paper engages the Document Theory by Paul Otlet (1868-1944) in explaining how the concept of documentation, musical forms in Orin Ìbejì and national development interrelates. This paper presents a position that the traditional musical practices, under which Orin Ìbejì falls, is a viable tool for national development. It also establishes that documentation of form, if properly harnessed, could be a veritable tool for national development.