THE YORUBA LANGUAGE AS THE ORIGIN OF FOLKSONGS IN ILE-IFE: A CULTURAL, LINGUISTIC, AND MUSICAL EXAMINATION

Abstract

This study examines the Yoruba language as the basis of folksongs in Ile Ife, analysing how these songs convey moral values, strengthen social cohesion, and safeguard cultural heritage. Utili sing an interdisciplinary approach that incorporates cultural studies, linguistics, and ethnomusicology, the research investigates the tonal, semantic, and aesthetic aspects of the Yoruba language and their influence on the invention, performance, and tran smission of folk songs. Data were gathered by participant observation, audio recordings, and semi structured interviews with local artists, elders, and educators, utilising a qualitative ethnographic methodology. This study utilises two Yoruba proverbs as its conceptual framework: “ Orin la fi n gbé ìtàn l ọ ” (“It is through song that histor are transmitted”), which underscores the role of songs in preserving cultural memory, and “ Eni tí kò m mọ́ orin, kò m mọ́ ìtàn He who does not know song does not know the history ”), which emphasises the intrinsic connection between musical expression and cultural knowledge. The results indicate that the Yoruba language serves as both a repository of cultural memory and a generative medium that preserves cultural legacy and performance traditions. The research illustrates that Yoruba folk songs in Ile Ife encapsulate educational, ethical, and communal principles. The study concludes that Yoruba folksongs are critical for the preservation of the Yoruba language as a valuable cultural asset and advocates for systematic documentation, digital archiving, and curricular integration to conserve this oral heritage for future generations.