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A Summary-Report on the Oral Traditions of Yoruba Musicians

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 January 2012

Darius L. Thieme
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Extract

This paper reports briefly on some oral traditions collected from Yoruba musicians in western Nigeria in 1964-6. These relate mainly to the origins of their musical instruments. The research sought to answer these questions: Do Yoruba musicians have an established body of traditional beliefs with respect to their instruments? If so, how can these beliefs best be collected for collation and comparative study?

Résumé

UN BREF RAPPORT SUR LES TRADITIONS ORALES DES MUSICIENS YORUBA

Cet article rend compte brièvement de quelques traditions orales recueillies auprès de musiciens yoruba de l'ouest du Nigeria, en 1964–66, et concerne principalement les origines de leurs instruments de musique. Deux types d'instruments de musique sont examinés: le tambour conique à deux membranes, appelé bata, employé pour les cérémonies religieuses Sango, et trois sortes de tambours à pression, Dundun, Gangan et Koso. Soixante-dix-sept informateurs furent interrogés dans la région d'Oyo, comprenant les villes d'Ibadan, Abeokuta, Oyo, Ife et autres villes. Tous les informateurs attribuent l'introduction du tambour Bata au dieu Sango. Différentes origines furent attribuées aux tambours à pression, mais il existe une croyance largement répandue selon laquelle l'histoire du tambour à pression est liée au mythe de l'origine d'Ife. De telles croyances remontent à une période plus ancienne de l'histoire des instruments de musique au Nigeria, sur laquelle il subsiste peu de documents ou de preuves tangibles. Elles apportent un complément nécessaire à la compréhension actuelle de ces instruments de musique.

Type
Research Article
Information
Africa , Volume 40 , Issue 4 , October 1970 , pp. 359 - 362
Copyright
Copyright © International African Institute 1970

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References

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