ỤBỌ-AKA MUSIC IN IGBO CULTURE: A VALUABLE MUSICAL HERITAGE

Abstract

Traditional music is a vital and beneficial aspect of Igbo culture. All activities ranging from birth to death are integrated with music making. The presence of the western culture in Igboland and beyond influenced the traditional music in such a way that some aspects are gradually becoming extinct. For instance, some of the makers and players of indigenous musical instruments like ụbá»-aka have died without the youths (who are interested in white color job) taking over. As a result of this fact, gradual extinction of ụbá»-aka in Igbo culture is discussed. The discussion is based on the following headings: Introduction, generic names of ụbá»-aka, ụbá»-aka music, roles of ụbá»-aka music, problems facing ụbá»-aka and its music, recommendations and conclusion.