Yoruba Songs

Abstract

A person's culture shapes his or her notion of art, aesthetics, poetry, song, and beauty. His culture molds his values upon which he bases his response to artistic object. Hence, the idea of the Yoruba about song is different from any other culture. This chapter discusses the concept of song in traditional and modern contemporary Yorùbá society. The objectives of the chapter are to define and situate songs within the context of Yoruba culture and orature; highlight the characteristic features and categories of songs; and identify the relationship that exists between songs and other arts of performance as well as their functions. The investigations were carried out by means of observation of performances, interviews with the local singers, and scholars in Music and Yorùbá Studies. The appraisal of songs in Yorùbá society depends heavily upon a cultural frame of reference that calls for a short analysis of the people.