Indigenous music and allusivity in the promotion of african values: The Igbo experience

Abstract

Music is a very significant aspect of life of any group of people. It is embedded in the cultural life of the people as expressed in their norms and values in terms of their moral, social, cultural and political values. Indigenous music in Nigeria, and Igbo land in particular, is socially controlled and normally associated with important social, religious and political events. Survey research design was used for this study. The items studied are indigenous music in Igbo culture. The paper focused on the use of music in the promotion of African values with particular reference to Igbo culture. It emphasized the role of indigenous music in promoting moral, social, cultural and political values of the Igbo. It was observed that indigenous music abound in different parts of Africa in general and Igbo culture in particular. The music promotes the language, customs and traditions and other values of the people. Recommendations were made; part of which is that indigenous music encourages cultural values and should be embedded in the curricula of schools in Africa. By so doing, the children will imbibe the rich cultural values associated with their music.