Archives, Documentation and Ethnomusicology in Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract: Most African heritage and national values seem to have lost their originality to modernization, especially in Nigeria. Not only in the field of music, but also in every other arts and humanities. One of the “biggest” problems most Nigerian scholars face today is the problem of archiving and documentation. This has contributed greatly to the poor and watery research output in Nigeria. Historically, from Pre-colonial era to post-colonial era, Nigeria music has suffered from poor archives, documentation due to lack of proper education on archives and documentation. Improper or poor knowledge of archives and documentation thereby, has caused a great loss of some of our musical cultural values during the process of modification. Proper archiving and documentation help to give memory of what has happened in the past for proper and future development / progress. Its knowledge system is inevitable. The ethnomusicologist is known globally for scientific researches on how and why of any musical practices, therefore, will have to play a significant role in putting proper system of archiving and documentation of musical practices in Nigeria. On this note this research helps to expose, with scientific details, the roles of ethnomusicology in improving the knowledge system of archives and documentation of music practices in Nigeria.