The ethos and pathos of traditional music: The Annang experience

The traditional music of the Annang of Nigeria is a product of the people’s cultural beliefs, codes, and mores. It represents a model of the philosophy of the Annang communities encapsulating their social and cultural inclinations. This musico-cultural ethos, when identified as pre-colonial (as it has always been), presupposes that cultural changes and modernity have impacted and disrupted these pristine or near-pristine ways of life. What then is left of traditional music? How do they survive amidst dominating genres of foreign descent? This paper examines how cultural changes have disadvantaged the traditional music of the Annang people. The study employs an analytical approach to textual music with other extant literary materials. The paper argues that traditional music will soon become extinct unless the interest in musical revival and sustainability engages identity conventions. It concludes that a conscious attempt at pathos (compassion and sympathy) should be made using modern modes of musical creativity, such as composition, songwriting and modern technology devices.