POPULARITY OF WOMEN IN INDIGENOUS MUSIC PERFORMANCE IN OBOSI COMMUNITY OF IGBOLAND: AN EXPOSITORY STUDY

Abstract

The participation of women in their indigenous musical activities during ceremonies in Obosi community of lgboland is very significant. But the issue of exposing its popularity is not taken serious. As such, the authors see the need to do an expository study on the level of the women’s popularity in their indigenous music performance during ceremonies. In Obosi community, women play expedient musical roles as regards burial, Ito Ogbo, welcoming a new baby, birthday and other ceremonial events which call for popularity and exposure for the purposes of documentation and generational transfer as well as continuity. The researchers in their study exposed among other things the brief historical background of women's indigenous music in Obosi community, the instruments they use during such occasions, performance situations, costumes and few musical examples of their music. Most importantly, its popularity in the community and the entire society as the main focus of the study. As a result, the theoretical framework of this study hinges on indigenous music and popularity theories. The method of data collection for the study are interviews, library and internet asset. From the findings, it was shown that much popularity, importance and recognition are not given to women’s indigenous music in Obosi community. Therefore, the researchers recommend that appropriation of popularity should be given to the women’s indigenous music because of its expedient roles during events and general ceremonies in the community and the society at large. Moreover, an individual and group sponsorship as well as community encouragement should be given to such music for continuity and transmission purposes.