THE IMPACT OF MUSIC ON CULTURAL PRESERVATION IN THE DIGITAL ERA OF NIGERIA

Abstract

Music has been a highly influential tool in history; it has promoted cultures, lifestyles, and other aspects of life in different ways across different centuries. However, society operates in a globalisation era, which is now driven by modern digital technologies. As such, the study examines the contribution of music to the preservation of traditional practices and heritage in the digital era in Nigeria, aiming to accomplish specific objectives that include examining the role of music in preserving and promoting the diverse traditional values, culture, and beliefs in Nigeria, exploring how the digital era has impacted traditional practises in Nigeria regarding cultural preservation, and identifying challenges faced by traditional cultural practises in the digital era. The study conducted a semi-systematic review of academic literature about music, culture, and digitization. The findings reveal that music has had a significant impact on promoting Nigerian culture by mirroring, transmitting, and shaping Nigeria’s cultural identity, educating people about cultural practices in Nigeria, and promoting cultural values, among others. Additionally, digital media has had a positive impact on Nigeria's traditional practices by giving them exposure, enhancing cultural communication, and creating longevity through digital storage. However, the digital era has posed a significant threat to Nigeria’s cultural traditional practices, causing a decline in traditional practices, Westernizing the indigenous culture, diminishing traditional values, and causing a preference for foreign content over local content.