LANGUAGE AND MEANING OF WORDS IN IBIBIO MUSIC COMPOSITION

Abstract

In every culture or society of any geographical location, with characteristics of norms and values system ‘language’, is a driving force that propels communication. It is widely used and accepted as a means of expression. It influences the general life styles of the people through music. In music ‘Texts’ are words that help the listeners (audience) appreciate the message passed across by the singer or better still, the composer of a song. Music composition is language driven, and this is peculiar to Africans as it aid verbal communication amongst its tribes and also communicates emotions. This paper therefore, in looking at language as it relates to music and the society, examines the roles of language and some meaning of text (words) in Ibibio music composition.