TRADITIONAL MUSICIANS AND SOCIAL INTEGRATION

Abstract

Historically, traditional musicians in Africa, including Nigeria, have played a significant role in societal development and social integration. They serve as custodians of culture, moral commentators, and the voice of their communities. Through their song lyrics and texts, they promote peace, unity, patriotism, and communal responsibility, thereby fostering social cohesion. This paper examines the contributions of selected traditional musicians in Nigeria to social integration through textual analysis of their song lyrics. The study employs the lyrics and texts of selected traditional musicians as its primary source of data, while relevant literature, audio recordings (MP3s), and internet-based materials constitute the secondary sources. The study aims to document the contributions of selected Nigerian traditional musicians to social integration and to demonstrate how their lyrical content promotes shared values and collective identity. Analysis of two Urhobo traditional songs reveals how traditional musicians employ lyrical narratives to cultivate collective consciousness, reinforce communal values, and counter social disintegration. The findings further indicate that the works of many Nigerian traditional musicians remain undocumented despite their significant contributions to nation-building and cultural preservation. The paper therefore recommends the systematic documentation and archiving of traditional musicians’ lyrics and texts as part of Nigeria’s and Africa's cultural heritage, while advocating for greater institutional support, including state-funded archival initiatives, to preserve these musical resources as instruments for promoting social cohesion.