Anyanya: A Contemporary A cappella Choral Style for Mixed Voices

Abstract

This paper focuses on a composition titled “Anyanya” which is an Annang word for crown. The composition borrows its lyrics and melodic themes from a popular Annang folk song used in storytelling and entertainment by people of the Annang tribe in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The Annang people have a rich reservoir of knowledge imbedded in their folk songs. Unfortunately, research of Annang folk songs by scholars is limited. The limited arrangement/composition and analysis of such songs for contemporary performance have created a gap that threatens the preservation and appreciation of the Annang folk musical heritage. It is within this context that the present study has been undertaken to examine the musical and textual features of “Anyanya” with the objectives of interpreting its meanings and musical structure for contemporary choral performance. The song is composed in a contemporary a cappella choral style for mixed voices. It is a recitative of power tussle indicating that political interest often leads to conflict from ancient times. Its lyrics are accentuated by adequate correlation of melodic themes with the tonal inflexions of the Annang language. Using a qualitative descriptive method and notational software application, it presents a compositional technique based on call and response. Conceptually, the research is grounded on Semiotics theory, with implications for political ambitions, compositional studies and choral performance. The study recommends more interest in the study of folk songs and the need for composers to draw materials from indigenous folk musical heritages to create contemporary works such as “Anyanya” (Crown).