African Rhythmic Identity and Creativity Art in Pepeye Owubantutu: A Yoruba Folksong Arrangement By Debo Akinwumi

Abstract

The creativity and uniqueness of modern African art composers in using the indigenous musical materials stand as media for revealing the African rhythmic identity, artistic ingenuity, cultural features, and the schools of thought of the composer(s). The distinctive expression continuum of a modern African art composer presents the skilful arts and intellectual ability of the composer, via his/her work(s). In view of this background, the Yoruba folksong arrangement of Pepeye Owubantutu for voices, (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass) by Debo Akinwumi, reveals the uniqueness of African rhythmic identity found in the Yoruba milieu. Empirical research method was used by the researcher to justify the thrust and findings of this study. The study serves as educative resource material to the young modern art composers. It exposes diverse compositional techniques which can be used in adopting and applying the indigenous folksong into modern art music. Furthermore, it suggests strategies for building art composers to adopt and promote African rhythm in their art compositional works.

Keywords: Folksongs, Creativity, Indigenous and African rhythm identity.

DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/9-6-08

Publication date:March 31^st 2019