Harmonizing the Tide: A Critical Examination of Music and Artistic Synthetics in the Bonny Boat Regatta Festival
Keywords:
Ethnomusicology, Boat Regatta, Artistic Synthetics, Cultural Sustainability, Social Cohesion, Bonny Kingdom.Abstract
This paper examines the socio-cultural significance of music within the Boat Regatta Festival of the Bonny Kingdom in Rivers State, Nigeria. Utilizing Richard Wagner’s theory of Artistic Synthetics (Gesamtkunstwerk) as a theoretical framework, the research investigates the convergence of music, drama, and visual arts as a unified expression of Ijaw cultural identity. Employing a qualitative methodology—comprising semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and archival analysis—the paper explores how musical performance functions as a primary driver of communal harmony and ritual continuity. Thematic analysis reveals that traditional music in the Bonny Regatta transcends mere entertainment; it serves as a living repository of historical narratives, ancestral memory, and indigenous values. The findings demonstrate that while the festival has integrated modern influences—including digital instrumentation and contemporary rhythmic variations—it maintains a resilient core of ritual significance. This study argues that music acts as a critical mechanism for intergenerational knowledge transfer and social cohesion. By analyzing the tension between tradition and globalization, the paper offers strategic insights for cultural policymakers and stakeholders. It concludes that the intentional preservation and modernization of these sonic traditions are essential for sustaining cultural pride, fostering community unity, and enhancing the regional creative economy through cultural tourism.
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