CHAPTER FORTY-TWO PRESERVING AFRICAN VALUES THROUGH MUSIC: ILLUSTRATIONS WITH FOLKLORE EXCERPTS

Abstract

In an age characterized by moral decadence occasioned by trends in post-colonial Africa and globalization, it has become necessary for Africans to retrace their steps back to values of old that made Africa tick in respect of social behaviours. Children had respect for elders, an armed robbery was virtually non-existent, robbery was limited to stealing of food items and defaulters were afraid of the stigma by the society when caught. Those who live above board were revered, bravery was eulogized and status was attained. In an age where obtaining by tricks is on the high and is worshipped by both sacred and secular orders, it has become imperative to go back to folklore and examine its essence with a few to re-engineering it to our social polity as Africans.

Keywords: Preservation, music, folklores, African values. moral decadence.