Abstract:
The naming and classification of African musical instrument by ethnomusicologists have heen an issue of concern to Africans in academics. In Nigeria, for example. efforts have been made by some renowned musicologists, ethnomusicologists and music educators. who have come up with diverse systems of classification. The available classificatory svstems seem to be unsatisfactory, when applied to how the people of lhitte uboma classify instrunient resources. 1 have, therefore, embarked on some detailed descriptions and classifications from the folk classificatory perspectives. Chapter One discrrsses the geographical. historical and the socio-cultural background of the people of Ihitte-uboma, in line with the relationships and the musical activities that are prevalent in this area Chapter two discusses some available literature on classification of musical instruments, specifically the systems developed by Curt Sachs and Eric Hrnbostel J.H.K. Nketia, 1,o Baminjoko. Rich Okafor. Meki Nzewi. Omibiyi and C.T. Nwachukwu. chapters three and Four, concentration on the cognitive principles in the formulation of folk terminology, explaining the language structure, semantics/sound phenomena in the naming of these musical instruments; and elicit the basic principles in the taxonomy of musical instrumental resources guiding the model.Chapter five summarizes the findings and proffers some recommendations for studies. The thesis ends with a conclusion and bibliography
