Micah, V. K. B. (2019). Indigenous knowledge systems in traditional musical instruments: The sculptor’s contribution

Traditional musical instruments have been handed down from generation to generation although in most instances there has been a change in its development and production. Sculptors, over the years have played a very vital role in the making of such musical instruments. For someone to be able to make a music instrument, the person needs to have an idea about the material and its characteristics. This article establishes the link between traditional musical instruments and the sculptor as a depository of indigenous knowledge systems in music. Through qualitative research approach, it employed descriptive research design and aesthetic analysis as for the processes used in the making of some of the traditional musical instruments; and the symbolic meaning of material content in describing these music instruments for indigenous knowledge systems respectively. Data were collected through face-to-face interview and observation. Sculptors, specifically carvers, in the production of traditional musical instruments and music artiste from the music fraternity were purposively sampled. It was observed that beliefs and practices of Africa were seen as richest cultural systems, which were practised through the arts with traditional musical instruments. It recommended that traditional musical instruments should be seen as an important artifact. Particularly, its material compositions from an artistic point of view, serve as an indigenous knowledge system by providing artists and the users with mastery of cultural identity and edification.