Exploiting Resources of Yorùbá Drum Poetry for Contemporary Global Relevance

Abstract

Yorùbá drum poetry has to date enjoyed an indigenous monopoly. However, its attributes as a unique cultural asset of Africans need to be further exploited for greater relevance to the sophistication and demands of the contemporary age. This essay contends that the resources of Yorùbá drum poetry are currently grossly under-utilized; it further asserts that for any art to thrive it must remain dynamic. Suggestions are therefore made concerning various current uses to which the valued resources of Yorùbá drum poetry can be put in order to achieve global relevance. Highlighted here are various means by which the mass media, the advertising and music industries, the government, NGOs, and international organizations can benefit from a more aggressive exploitation of the resources of drum poetry.