SOCIO-CULTURAL IDENTITY OF MUSIC IN AYAN FESTIVAL OF OKE-ERO COMMUNITY, KWARA STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

Festivals are event characterised by communal participation, performed annually, seasonal or at regular interval. The Ayan festival is a cultural event celebrated in the Oke-Ero community fascinated by music and identity with deep socio-cultural roots that reflects the unique heritage and traditions of the community. Despite the centrality of music in the Ayan festival, there is limited research on how musical performances during this festival serves as a medium of preserving and transmitting socio-cultural identity among the Oke-Ero people. This gap therefore raises the questions on music reflect and reinforce the community’s heritage through the musical elements, performance practices and symbolic meanings of Ayan festival. This article aims at exploring the socio-cultural identity of music in Ayan festival. Through the analysis of historical event of the festival, traditions and cultural significance, the study expresses the major role music plays, not only as entertainment but also as a medium of shaping and preserving the socio-cultural identity of the community. Through the study of various traditional instruments, performance styles, types of music employed during the festival, the research show case the rich cultural identity of Oke-Ero community. This paper therefore explores and give deeper understanding on how music has been used to promote, celebrate, preserve and honour the socio-cultural tradition of this community. Qualitative research methods were used in carrying out this work, historical analysis and Archival research methods were also deployed. Data was gathered through descriptive, internet and library sources. The study thus reveals the integral role of music in shaping and maintaining the socio-cultural identity of Oke-Ero community and its importance in preserving cultural heritage, passing it down from one generation to another.