COLONIAL POLICIES AND MODAKEKE'S INDIGENOUS MUSICAL PRACTICES

This study examines the impact of colonial policies on the indigenous musical practices of Modakeke in Osun State, Nigeria, between 1900 and 1960, with reflections on their implications in contemporary times. Indigenous music among the Modakeke people, deeply rooted in Yoruba cultural traditions, served vital socio-cultural, religious, political, and economic functions before the advent of colonial rule. Musical forms such as Ijala, Esa, Oriki, Egungun chants, and other traditional performances were integral to festivals, rites of passage, governance, and community cohesion. However, the introduction of colonial administration, Christian missionary activities, Western education, and new socio-political structures significantly influenced these indigenous practices. Colonial cultural policies and the spread of Western musical forms gradually altered performance contexts, reduced the ritual significance of certain musical traditions, and introduced new musical expressions that competed with traditional forms. Using both primary and secondary sources, including oral interviews and relevant scholarly works, this research reconstructs the historical development of Modakeke’s indigenous musical heritage and critically assesses the extent of colonial influence on its continuity and transformation. The study argues that although colonial rule introduced substantial changes, Modakeke’s indigenous musical practices have demonstrated resilience, adaptation, and continuity in contemporary society. The research contributes to existing historiography by filling the gap in scholarship concerning the intersection of colonial policies and indigenous musical traditions in Modakeke.