Musical Representation on Deforestation and Environmental Health in Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria's musical scholarship has been trending on social issues. Very little is directed at the issues of environmental sustainability, especially issues related to deforestation in Nasarawa State in Nigeria. This is due to the destructive tree falling that has led to erosion in some parts of the state. Deforestation is a direct result of human activities, especially the constant falling of trees without replacement has brought unprecedented floods and drought to the state. This paper, therefore, examines the musical representation of deforestation using ethnographic methods and textual analysis. The paper hinges on ecomusicology theory. We argue that musical narratives on deforestation have great potential to enumerate the emotions and degradation on land and the health of the people in the community. We conclude that the current climate change could be addressed through musical advocacy that could help bring greater awareness to deforestation and its reduction in several continents of the world.