MUSIC AS ECOLOGICAL TRANSCRIPT: INTRODUCING ECO EPISTEMOLOGY THEORY AS A FRAMEWORK FOR CIVIL MILITARY MUSICAL RELATIONS IN NIGERIA.

Abstract

In Nigeria’s evolving civil military landscape, music remains an underexplored medium for strategic engagement and cultural diplomacy. Existing scholarships rarely examine how musical forms reflect ecological consciousness or foster trust between defense institutions and local communities. This study addresses that gap by introducing Eco Epistemology Theory, a decolonial framework that conceptualizes music as a sonic transcript of land shaped behavior and communal worldview. It is a timely intervention in musicology, offering new insights into sound as epistemic infrastructure. The study aims to (1) conceptualize Eco Epistemology Theory as a framework for understanding music’s ecological logic in civil military relations; (2) examine how musical forms like polyrhythms, melismatic phrasing, and call and response can be operationalized by the military to build trust and cultural alignment; and (3) evaluate the strategic outcomes of such engagements in counterinsurgency and outreach. Guided by Eco Epistemology Theory and supported by Cultural Performance, Strategic Communication, and Social Identity theories, the study employs Critical Qualitative Content Analysis and Ecological Musicological Mapping. Data sources include NAF music videos, lyrics, broadcasts, and ethnomusicological literature. Findings reveal that ecology derived music fosters epistemological alignment, trans forming military perception from occupier to partner. This contributes to emotional resonance, cultural legitimacy, and sustainable peace building. The study advances musicology, civil military studies, and decolonial theory, recommending sound based engagement protocols and further research into ecological soundscapes as strategic tools.