INFORMAL MUSIC EDUCATION: A CULTURAL RESOURCE FOR SUSTAINING, ENHANCING AND PROMOTING THE INDIGENOUS MUSIC IN AFRICA

Emmanuel Ella Ajefu

Department of Theatre Arts,

Benue State University, Makurdi

E-mail: Ellaflo.ella3@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The most cherished African heritage is the music of Africa. African indigenous music is the pride of Africa, both within the shore of African nations and African people in Diaspora. Unfortunately, this African indigenous cultural music is currently undergoing a state of consistent decline and degeneration. The reasons for this is the disoriented mentality of African people, especially the present generations toward their indigenous culture, and the lost of values, focus and interest on African indigenous music by African elites. It is in response to these fact that this study is undertaken on the belief that, to revive, revitalize sustain, preserve and promote this cherished cultural heritage, informal/indigenous system of music education has been selected as an option that could salvage the fading, declining and degenerating nature of African indigenous music. The paper also determines to look at the place of informal/indigenous music teaching and learning, and how it could be intensified in our schools, homes and social occasions so as to give orientations and familiarization on the values of African indigenous cultural music to African people.