The Modernity of Songs: A Semiotic Adventure among the Ibibio of Nigeria

Abstract

The assumption within traditional music domains has been the tenacity of songs despite widespread changes in both the context and ritual process and performance. This article examines how songs within the Ibibio of Nigeria have been construed, reconstructed, and practised in modern society. The focus is on the musical and cultural value of specific songs, their context, and how meaningful interpretations are generated and communicated. While the study highlights cross-cultural interconnectedness and relationships through songs across different cultural milieus, it argues that songs have continued to undergo varying degrees of transformation in most traditional African societies. The article is based on ethnographic fieldwork among Ibibio communities and develops through analyses of selected songs to highlight their relevance as cultural heritage in modern society.