The Effective Power of Music in Africa

Celestine Chukwuemeka Mbaegbu

Department of Philosophy, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.

DOI: 10.4236/ojpp.2015.53021                

Abstract

This article investigates the role of music in Africa. The study is primarily motivated by the fact that music plays an indispensable role in the being of Africans at work, in politics, in their socio-economic engagements, in religious worship, integral development, in their moral life, etc. The primary objective therefore is to ascertain the influence of music with regard to the integral development of the Africans and the overall acknowledgment of this indispensable role on the active and meaningful behavior of Africans. Using the methods of phenomenology and analysis, the findings reveal that Africans are music lovers and that music features as an indispensable handmaid of any meaningful behavior and sustainability of the being of any African person whether young or old.

Keywords

Music, African Music, African Morality

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Achike, C. M. (2011). Liturgy and Church Music. Unizik Journal of Arts and Humanities, 2, 75-92.
[2]	Ade-Adegbola, E. A. (1983). Traditional Religion in West Africa. Ibadan: Daystar.
[3]	Agordoh, A. A. (1985). Topics in African Music. Obiaruku: C. Y. Publishing House.
[4]	Agu, D. C. C. (2001). The Impact of Western Education on Traditional Music Creation: Expression and Appreciation in Nigerian Culture. Unizik Journal of Arts and Humanities, 2, 2002-2225.
[5]	Asigbo, A. (2012). Re-Inventing the Wisdom of the Ancients: Moral Signposts in Mike Ejiagh’s Akuko N’Egwu. In A. B. C. Chiegboka, I. Okodo, & I. L. Umeanoluue (Eds.), A Bountiful Harvest. Festschrift in Honour of Very Rev. Msgr. Prof. J. P. C. Nzomiwu (pp. 681-690). Nimo: Rex Charles and Patrick.
[6]	Basden, G. T. (1966). Among the Ibos of Nigeria. London: Frank Cass.
[7]	Cesaire, A. (1972). Discourse on Colonialism. New York: International Review.
[8]	Degmecic, D., Pozgain, I., & Filakov, P. (2005). Music as Therapy. International Review of the Aesthetics of Sociology of Music, 2, 201-232.
[9]	Mbiti, J. S. (1975). Introduction to African religion. London: Heinemann.
[10]	Mbiti, J. S. (1985). African Religion and Philosophy. London: Heinemann.
[11]	Moore, C. (1982). Fela Fela: The beach of a life. London: Alison and Busby.
[12]	Nettle, B. (1956). Music in Primitive Culture. London: Cambridge University.
[13]	Nketia, J. H. K. (1975). The Music of Africa. London: Oxford University.
[14]	Nwala, T. U. (1985). Igbo Philosophy. Lagos: Literanmmed.
[15]	Nwamara, A. O. (2009). Music in a Ten Year Democratic Society: An Appraisal of the Nigerian Situation. In A. B. C. Chiegboka, C. E. Nwadigwe, & E. C. Umezinwa (Eds.), The Humanities and Nigeria’s Democratic Experience (pp. 517-535). Nimo: Rex Charles and Patrick.
[16]	Onyiuke, Y. S. (2001). Music as a Source of Aesthetic Education. Journal of Arts and Humanities, 2, 45-56.
[17]	Soyinka, W. (1976). The Writer in a Modern African State. Transition, 12-13.