MUSIC AND CULTURE: DOCUMENTING SELECTED URHOBO TRADITIONAL MUSICIANS

Abstract

Documentation remains an important means of preserving and transmitting cultural heritage, particularly within societies where a substantial proportion of historical and artistic knowledge exists in oral form. This study documents selected Urhobo traditional musicians whose contributions to the preservation and promotion of Urhobo cultural heritage remain insufficiently represented in scholarly literature. The study adopts a documentary research design and draws data from a range of documentary sources, including scholarly publications, newspaper reports, organisational publications, online archives, blogs, social media platforms, audio recordings, and video recordings. Five notable Urhobo traditional musicians, Chief Omokomoko Osokpa, Adaighofua Omofue Salami (Go-Slow Di), Johnson Osetejovwore Oyibode Adjan, Daniel Iriferi (Sally Young), and Joseph Odjevwedje (Okpan Arhibo), were purposively selected based on their contributions to Urhobo musical culture and the availability of documentary evidence relating to their lives and works. Findings reveal that these musicians functioned not only as entertainers but also as custodians of indigenous knowledge, cultural values, historical memory, and communal identity. Through their songs and performances, they contributed significantly to the preservation of Urhobo language, traditions, moral values, and socio-cultural consciousness. The study concludes that systematic documentation of indigenous musicians is essential for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage and recommends further research into the musical styles, performance practices, lyrical content, and socio-cultural significance of Urhobo traditional musicians.