The Essence of Drum Music in Nupe Ritual Performance

Abstract

Drum music among Nupe traditional performers of Niger and Kwara States of Nigeria is mainly used for ritual purposes. During the annual Nupe masquerade performance, for instance, the effect of music of the Nupe drum popularly known as the gatee, on the general ritual activities and dance of the people is enormous. One of the findings during a personal participation in the ritual dances of the people is that the gatee is a functional musical artifact of the Nupes used to accomplish cultural stability, progress and verification of unity in existence among the people.