MUSIC ASSOCIATED WITH CHILDBIRTH: A CASE STUDY OF WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN TRADITIONAL SONGS IN IGBO LAND

Abstract

One basic characteristic of Nigerian culture is the integration of music in their social life. The musical culture of the Igbo‟s in particular is rich and varied because it is associated with songs and dances, worship, occupation, rites of passages, rituals, childbirth and is functional. Women are special creation instituted by nature for caring and procreation of children; the society relies so much on them because “no woman no cry (child).†Music becomes a potential instrument in their hands for celebration of birth, entertainment and communication. This work is significant because the status of our mothers is enhanced, their efforts recognized and honoured. The thrust of this paper examines women‟s participation in traditional music associated with childbirth with a view to identifying them for posterity.