The Extraordinary Influence Of Music On Our Cultures

Before the coming of the digital age where communication is done through cell phones, letters and others, our parents had unique ways of uniting themselves and also passing vital messages across to each other and even to the generations to come and one of those channels is music.

In my place, every festive period, each community observe a cultural day either on 25th and 26th December or 1st and 2nd January. On those days there is usually a display of the culture of the native people of that community.

A series of cultural songs and dances would be presented and those participating must appear on their cultural attires.

This activity has been taking place in my community every year right from my childhood until date. One thing that amazes me is the way that every song presented has its unique dance step and a special way to beat the drum.

What often keeps me in awe is how when a song is raised and everyone backs it up with passion even without knowing what it means, not just adults but even children dancing to the melodious songs with local music instruments. The whole thing is spectacular.

At first it didn't make sense to me at all because I thought, of what relevance is this cultural dance and music thing that it just keeps existing over the years. But I came to realize that it's not just a normal activity but it's a way of uniting us together and preserving our culture.

Truth be told, It was through those events that I learned how to sing some of my tribal songs and know some of our dancing steps.

Most people don't miss that event every year. if not for cultural events some of us wouldn't have known about our cultures like who do this day.

The music and the dance is like a reminder to us. Each time we sing and dance, it reminds us of who we are and where we came from. No matter how bad you are with culture, when you hear your traditional songs you won't need anyone to tell you this is you.

From our cultural dancing patterns and our cultural songs, we can't hide where we came from. It amazes me how these things work.

Music and dances are another means of identification for a group of people. When you come down to my place, if Mada people dance or sing, you will spot the difference from that of Eggon people.

I believe that is how it is with other cultures out there, these things tells where we came from. No two cultures sing the same song in the same tone and dance alike. This helps us identify the places from which we are from. But let me make something clear, diversity in culture doesn't mean we are different. No, we have different cultures but we are one as humans.

Without music, a lot of us wouldn't have known much about our cultures because most of our cultural activities are accompanied by music. Generations to come would have arrived and have little or no knowledge of what their culture is all about. It would have been so pathetic.

Music is one of the major things that keeps our cultures alive, if it's taken away, most things would gradually fade away as well. I can't even imagine how boring and dull our cultural events would be if music was never in the picture. Music gives our culture beauty and splendor.

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