(The Performer, Ilorin Journal of the Performing Arts, 2014) Babarinde, Damilola
This study examines functional aesthetics of “Orin Opa” traditional
vocal music of the people of Igbomina in Nigeria. These functions shall be
viewed in terms of the social satirical, historical, identity and
entertainment functions. This work is approached through the descriptive
methodology, interviews and library search that are relevant to our
discourse. Interestingly, it was discovered that, pure vocal music still
exists and some Nigerian vocal music types still retain their traditional
style and are yet to embrace Western musical styles and contemporary
idioms 1
in their performances which has limited their reception outside
their traditional domains. The paper concludes that, musicians of “Orin
Opa” should open up and embrace modernisation, Western musical style
and contemporary idioms in their performance. This we hope, will give
the music a new look without necessarily losing its originality.