The 2011 Presidential Elections in Nigeria and the Role of Yoruba Music in Mobilizing the Electorate

Author:

Zakharova N.A.

Abstract:

The music of the Yoruba people, which is one of the largest ethnic groups in Nigeria, has a number of important functions in the social and political life of society. Serving as one of the means of communication, it has for centuries played a special role in the traditional culture. The music has permeated all spheres of life – from intra-clan and intra-family relations (mourning funeral song) to political events (ceremonial song for a new chief). The “talking drums” of the Yoruba had been one of the means of transmitting news, messages and friendly greetings between villages until relatively modern infrastructure was put in place.

Keywords:

Nigeria, protest music, elections, Yoruba, Goodluck Jonathan, Fela Kuti

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