Islam in Africa 
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 Periodical article |
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| Title: | The influence of Islam on Yoruba music |
| Author: | Adegbite, Ademola |
| Year: | 1989 |
| Periodical: | Orita: Ibadan Journal of Religious Studies |
| Volume: | 21 |
| Issue: | 1 |
| Pages: | 32-43 |
| Language: | English |
| Geographic term: | Nigeria |
| Subjects: | Islam Yoruba music |
| Abstract: | Yoruba Muslims in Nigeria first came into contact with Islamic music in the nineteenth century. The ethnic blending that occurred during that century gave birth to certain types of Yoruba Muslim music. For instance, traditional African musical elements such as rhythm and melody were incorporated into the language of the Koran. This led to new performance techniques, new aspects of intonation, and new musical instruments in Yoruba music. Two types of music are prevalent among Yoruba Muslims: Islamic religious chant (categorized as 'ta'bŻir', recitation) and socioreligious music ('ghinŻa', secular music). The first type consists of the 'the call to prayer' and the reading from the Holy Koran, and is essentially the same all over the Muslim world. The second type embraces all forms of music used for socioreligious activities, such as the ceremony marking the arrival of a child in the family, circumcision, marriage, funerals, and the return of pilgrims from Mecca. It is in this realm that Islam seems to have made a great impact on Yoruba music, leading to genres such as 'waka', 'were', 'seli', 'sakara', and 'apala'. Islamic influence in Yoruba court music is attested by the presence of the 'kakaki' (long metal trumpet) among the instruments of the court musicians. In conclusion, the effects of the Islamic impact on Yoruba music today are examined. Notes, ref. |