PRESERVING AND PROMOTING NIGERIAN FOLKSONGS IN A DIGITAL ECONOMY

Abstract

Nigerian folksongs are tunes that help to moderate communal lifestyle and character. Good behaviours are encouraged while public denunciations of evil deeds are done through extemporized chants. It is however a case of deep concern that these innumerable folksongs, though laced with proverbs and wise sayings yet have little or no place in the digital archives. Majority of the Nigerian traditional folksongs are not transcribed and this obstructs the foundational basis for the new African Art Music thereby making form and analysis in African music a herculean task. This research canvasses for the digitization of our rich and enviable traditional folksongs in various dialects in a digital economy. It proposes the utilization of multimedia as an aid to retaining and promoting the rich cultural values of our society via the digitization of our folksongs as well as re-awakening the dying culture of singing lessons in our schools which has been a medium through which we teach our kids moral lessons that shape and modify behaviours. The research relied on ethnographic materials, available literatures on folksongs and the syllabi of high-stake examination industries in Nigeria. Findings revealed that the dearth of instructional materials for the teaching of folksongs can be resolved via the utilization of digitization mechanisms. It is observed that the use of multimedia makes singing lessons real and fun to children and makes it easily accessible and affordable to teachers and learners. Kids are fascinated when they see a dancing castle and images via animations and cartoons especially with musical notes. Conclusively, it is recommended that Music technologists adopt the utilization of multimedia mechanisms to preserve and promote our culture and at the same time raise its standard as a tool for revenue generation.