Intertwining Ecolinguistics with Ecomusicology: Musicking Yorùbá Indigenous Plants for Environmental Sustainability

Abstract

This study examines ecolinguistic philosophies and ecomusicological ideologies to analyze Yorùbá praise chants and folksongs in relation to their embodiment of indigenous knowledge of plants, ecosystem conservation, and the prevention of environmental degradation. Despite scholarly efforts in exploring vital ecological issues in Nigeria, like environmental degradation, water and air pollution, and land erosion, only a few have explored indigenous knowledge systems. This study obtained data through ethnographic inquiry, using oral in-depth interviews and textual analysis of purposively selected Yoruba folksongs and praise chants. The study uses a content analysis technique to engage interview data in line with the theoretical lens of the discourse. Findings reveal that the adoption of ‘trado-indigenous’ regulation of the Yorùbá ecosystems offers a potent strategy applicable to global contexts, especially in addressing issues of ecological sustainability using home-made indigenous solutions. I conclude that there is a need to amplify and sustain these indigenous knowledge systems, as they have proven potent and are visibly efficient in ecological conservation. Policies should be put in place by policymakers around the world to employ the use of indigenous knowledge and strategies in tackling the ecological crisis.