Charles Aluede | Ambrose Alli University (original) (raw)

Papers by Charles Aluede

Journal of Contemporary Rituals and Traditions, Mar 26, 2024

Purpose of the Study: This research aims to uncover how traditional second burial rites coexist w... more Purpose of the Study: This research aims to uncover how traditional second burial rites coexist with and have adapted to Christian funeral norms, reflecting the socio-religious negotiation in a postcolonial context. Methodology: Employing a qualitative ethnographic approach, the study gathered data through semi-structured interviews with local chiefs, elders, and adults, alongside observations and an extensive review of related literature. Participants were selected based on their deep knowledge of Esan customs and involvement in the Itolimin practice. Main Findings: The study revealed that Itolimin, while embracing certain Christian elements, remains a vital cultural practice that reinforces the community's moral and social order. The rite's evolution showcases the Esan people's ability to blend traditional and Christian values, thereby preserving their cultural identity amidst religious changes. This syncretism illustrates the community's broader cultural resilience and adaptation approach in a rapidly changing religious landscape. Applications of this Study: Insights from this study apply to the broader discourse on funeral practices in postcolonial societies, providing a framework for cultural preservation amidst religious transformation. It is relevant for policymakers and public health officials regarding community health and burial practices. The findings also offer a basis for developing contextual theological education that respects indigenous beliefs within Christian teachings. Novelty/Originality: This study provides a unique contribution to the understanding of funeral rituals within African postcolonial societies by documenting the living tradition of Itolimin. It highlights how syncretism acts as a dynamic cultural force, shaping the way communities like the Esan negotiate identity and religious practice in a contemporary Christian-dominated context.

Jumuga Journal of Education, Oral Studies, and Human Sciences (JJEOSHS)

This research article adopts interpretive and descriptive approaches in the study of derogatory E... more This research article adopts interpretive and descriptive approaches in the study of derogatory Esan proverbs that are geared towards demeaning women in the Esan indigenous society of Nigeria. Our main aim here is to assess whether the content of such anti-women local proverbs in Esan are valid or anachronistic. This is in the light of the message that indigenous knowledge is ideally meant to convey; and will be done by a comparative judgmental approach to the cultural and modern realities. Esan people are an ethnic group in Edo State of Nigeria whose research on women in Esan proverbs or proverbs about Esan is investigated in this treatise by researchers who speak the language under consideration. Can this insider-researcher perspective help us to deconstruct the negative portrayal and eventually reconstruct Esan proverbs as we strive to build an all-inclusive society for all? Methodologically, we harvested Esan proverbs through our public interactions with elders, and young and ol...

Journal of Language, Technology & Entrepreneurship in Africa, Oct 18, 2017

Voices, Mar 1, 2008

The use of music and dance as a palliative measure, diversionary means, audio-analgesic and to co... more The use of music and dance as a palliative measure, diversionary means, audio-analgesic and to control pain, is found in the musical practices of Nigerians. These different categories of the use of music can be put into two classifications: the use of music as medicine and the use of music as accompaniment to other healing rites. This paper examines: definitions of music therapy, the concept of illness in the contemporary Nigerian society, and music therapy and its social relevance. While highlighting the emerging issues before the Nigerian music/dance therapists, this paper ends by making some suggestions aimed at enhancing the present level of practice in Nigeria.

Critical Research on Religion

This study traces the spread of the Igbe religion of the Urhobo people of Delta State in Nigeria ... more This study traces the spread of the Igbe religion of the Urhobo people of Delta State in Nigeria to other ethnic cultures in the Benin Province in Nigeria where Igbe became known as the Osenughegbe and Iyayi religions. In doing this, it examines the religious, social, and musical transitions in this cross-cultural migration. This study adopts descriptive and historical approaches by deploying qualitative research methods; it elicited much of its data from interviews and non-participant observation. Ten temples were studied; five temples each were selected from the Delta and Edo states. The data drawn is descriptively presented and interpreted. The study found that Iyayi borrowed a lot from Igbe in terms of ritual practices, dressing, vocabulary, music, and dance. These greatly facilitated Igbe’s cross-cultural migration to other ethnic cultures. It concludes that Igbe music has a social value which has greatly accounted for Igbe’s influences in its cross-cultural migration with Iyay...

Lwati: A Journal of Contemporary Research, 2009

The healing effect of music on man is very significant in most parts of the world. However, not m... more The healing effect of music on man is very significant in most parts of the world. However, not much has been done by African researchers to study music and the ailments it heals especially among the peoples of Nigeria. This work examines the therapeutic effect of music in Iyayi society of Esan community, Edo state of Nigeria. The concept of illness, illness causation, the healing system and the specific songs used in healing of some ailments are investigated. It was found that music in the society is used as medicine as well as accompaniment to healing rites. The study concludes that Iyayi songs hold much promise for the development of pan African music therapy and as such should be notated. It therefore recommends that Iyayi songs are of immense benefits in the treatment and management of labour pains, insomnia and general debilities.

Nigeria is made up of autochthonous groups with diverse musical cultures. In this essay, the rese... more Nigeria is made up of autochthonous groups with diverse musical cultures. In this essay, the researcher observes that over generalization associated with the characteristics of African music in general and Nigerian music in particular can no longer hold sway because each ethnic group has its peculiar musical attributes. In this connection, he gives an in depth examination of Esan music, of Nigeria by highlighting what he sees to be unique in the musical performances of this people.

Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy

Indigenous knowledge of music as therapy as it is understood in Nigeria has to do with the acquis... more Indigenous knowledge of music as therapy as it is understood in Nigeria has to do with the acquisition of information about the application of music for healing in traditional settings. There is no doubt that the use of music to educate, rehabilitate, and bring about healing in Nigerian indigenous societies is an age-long tradition. A survey of traditional music which was carried out through questionnaire and interview methods allude to the fact that most Nigerian cultures firmly believe in the therapeutic potency of music. From the perspectives of some selected Nigerian traditional communities (Esan, Urhobo, Itsekiri, Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, Bini, and others) this study, therefore, reveals the various forms of manifestations of music healing traditions in different Nigerian communities. Potent as music may be in healing, if the indigenous must beget the modern, there remains a growing need to examine the indigenous understanding of music therapy. As a major aim of this study, we exami...

Journal of Language, Technology & Entrepreneurship in Africa, May 16, 2019

This essay examines folksongs and its links with communities and cultures. It is this relationshi... more This essay examines folksongs and its links with communities and cultures. It is this relationship which makes it look as a property of all. In this work, we reflected on metamorphosis of folksongs into parody and the height it has reached in Nigeria. It examines the new age of digitalisation which ought to be a blessing in Nigeria but looks more of a threat to intellectual property and its associated economic gains. It concludes that there is an urgent need to step up some substantive areas of property law to accommodate modern realities.

Journal of Language, Technology & Entrepreneurship in Africa, 2014

Oguega is a divination apparatus which is in common use among Esan people of Edo State, Nigeria. ... more Oguega is a divination apparatus which is in common use among Esan people of Edo State, Nigeria. Oguega diviners are consulted irrespective of religious leanings in this culture. The use of this divination apparatus is concomitant with exclamations, songs, narratives, chants and poetry. This study investigates a handful of its poetry and discusses them as they relate to contemporary tendencies and dynamics in this culture. This paper employs a mixed method approach in eliciting information from three diviners each from the five local government areas in Esan. Although Oguega terms are esoteric, one notices that the poetry which goes with the codified language is worth examining so as to emplace its relevance in contemporary scholarship. It is thus thought that a study of this sort is likely to enrich studies on the connection between the indigenous and the modern in African studies.

Journal of Language, Technology & Entrepreneurship in Africa, 2019

This study explored how job rotation affects employee motivation. The population of the study con... more This study explored how job rotation affects employee motivation. The population of the study consisted of 90 employees who worked in small ICT firms in Nairobi. Simple random sampling was applied to select a sample size of 45 employees. A structured questionnaire was used as a data collection tool. The data analysis involved descriptive statistics and also, Chi Square test which was computed to determine the relationship between job rotation and employee motivation. The results showed that there was a significant association between job rotation and employee motivation. Key words: Job Rotation, Employee Motivation, Extrinsic Motivation, Intrinsic Motivation

Revista de Estudios Africanos

Indigenous Knowledge Models (IKM) is a spin-off of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS). These mode... more Indigenous Knowledge Models (IKM) is a spin-off of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS). These models in Esan have synonymous status with peculiar universals which are religiously respected. In contemporary times, knowledge has grown to the extent that there is often a general assumption that such models are somewhat infantile and without empirical and medical basis. It is within this cusp that this paper evolves. The ethnographic method of inquiry was primarily relied on to provide data in this study and it included interviews, observational techniques, questions and answers sessions, and a literature search. Fifty (50) persons out of which thirty were elders and the others young and old adults were respondents. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and data were elicited and analyzed. Findings reveal that although the people believe in multiple variables in illness causation, and that there are spiritual connections in physical illnesses, there are also physical illnesses that...

African Music : Journal of the International Library of African Music, 2022

This article examines the Ijieleghe and Igbabonelimin acrobatic dances for female and male ensemb... more This article examines the Ijieleghe and Igbabonelimin acrobatic dances for female and male ensembles. The data was obtained through ethnographic research techniques which include research in the library, interviews, focus group discussions, the use of interlocutors and participant observation. We found that both genres stem from the same source and are similar in dance patterns, repertory and musical instruments. While Ijieleghe performers wear light costumes, those of Igbabonelimin are heavy and sometimes accompanied by male and female masquerades. In Igbabonelimin, however, women are not admitted into any of its departments; while in Ijieleghe, male participants are confined to drumming and singing. Only the female participants perform the dance. This paper asks: Why is it that women cannot be admitted into the membership of the sonic space of men in the Igbabonelimin? What will happen if these ensembles admit members of the opposite sexes into gender restricted areas? These quest...

E-Journal of Music Research, 2021

This article examines the evolutionary tendencies - the origin of Asonogun music genre of the Esa... more This article examines the evolutionary tendencies - the origin of Asonogun music genre of the Esan. This has become necessary in the light of earlier efforts which appear to be speculative. The focus of this present study is not to determine the age of this musical practice but to clear the seeming ambiguities peddled by previous researchers who believe that it is a spinoff of the music used in the worship of the god of iron in Esan. Of the thirty-five kingdoms in Esan, data was drawn from twenty towns that were adjudged to be still consistent in the performance of this music. Five major musical ensembles were later further investigated, one each from the five local government areas in eliciting data for this study. The study revealed that Asonogun is simply a recreational type of music and dance performed by both male and female participants whose origin has nothing to do with the worship of the god of iron. The study arrived at key conclusions that in this current era of globalisa...

Film Music in ‘Minor’ National Cinemas, 2016

African Indigenous Knowledge and the Sciences, 2016

This chapter focuses on music therapy and wellness. The study relied on a blend of anthropologica... more This chapter focuses on music therapy and wellness. The study relied on a blend of anthropological and ethnological, historical and literary techniques in eliciting its data. Consequently, it takes a historical look at how certain prehistoric constructs have provided the scientific basis for modern medical practices, and argues further that learning from the past, and agreeing to work together in the present, would without doubt initiate a breakthrough in healthcare delivery in the Nigerian future.

This paper examines the current state of music mentorship in Nigeria, especially as it affects sc... more This paper examines the current state of music mentorship in Nigeria, especially as it affects scholarship quality. It looks at musicology as a métier and draws the link between mentors and mentees. With this perspective, the paper investigates the ideal relationship between them and what it is currently in the contemporary Nigerian space. The paper, hinged on Adedeji’s theory of transformative music education, employed bibliography and critical analysis as methodology. To elicit data for this study, the authors reviewed sampled conference paper presentations/collaborative efforts of senior and budding scholars in the Association of Nigerian Musicologists in the past two years - 2018 and 2019. The study reveals that while in modern scholarship, collaboration is a well-priced endeavour, mentors need to provide leadership for their mentees. In African Indigenous Knowledge Systems, apprenticeship roles are well defined and this role definition made it possible for a new entrant into an...

The focus of this paper is to examine the etymology of some Esan musical instruments, their natur... more The focus of this paper is to examine the etymology of some Esan musical instruments, their nature and musical/extra musical functions so that they could be properly documented and archived. This is in tandem with the paper’s title which tries to talk beyond sound to the objects of sound creation. There is a gradual wilting of information relating to some Esan musical instruments. This development is caused by the strong factors. First of all is the penchant for western musical instruments as new sources of sound generation and secondly the new thinking of the indigenous people who feel that their musical instruments are no longer fashionable and are now ersatz when put side by side foreign ones. The craze for alien musical instruments and modern life styles has made it possible for the natives to source for new sounds and at the same time put away their traditional ones. In eliciting data for this presentation, a mixture of research methods was employed and they are: library search...

Studies of Tribes and Tribals, 2005

Of the several ethnic groups in Nigeria and among the Edo people for which we are primarily conce... more Of the several ethnic groups in Nigeria and among the Edo people for which we are primarily concerned in this paper, traditions occupy the apogee of their mores. And folksongs are principal part of oral traditions. While little has been done on the use of folksongs as historical data, few attempts in this similar direction are perfunctorily handled. This study therefore examines five folksongs from Edo speaking Nigeria as data for historical reconstruction. In doing this, the researchers corroborated the validity of the selected songs with the available treatises, traditions and literature in Edo nation.