ORAL TRADITION AND CONTINUITY: A STUDY OF THE AYAN'S OF THE ELEMONA DYNASTY, OKE-ILA ORANGUN

Abstract Drumming has been the primary chord of Kingship that has tied the members of the Elemona household together, as this has been the primary duty as well as mode of survival of the people, however, the continuity of this tradition has faced the threat of extinction in contemporary times. This study intends to trace the historical antecedents of drumming in the Elemona household in Oke-Ila Orangun, Osun State, by investigating its change and continuity in contemporary times. The study employed mixed method design. Eight (8) respondents purposively selected from the male in Elemona household, based on their participation in drumming, and knowledge on the subject. Information was gathered through oral interviews and personal journals acquired from relevant respondents. Data analysis was carried out using, simple percentile and content analysis. Findings revealed that there is a steady decline in the drumming activities as new generations emerge due to factors such as disconnect from heritage and traditions, quest for formal education, and public perception. The study concluded that drumming has been drastically affected by westernization of the society, and recommends that the preservation of the craft should become a collaborative effort between the Elemona household and other stakeholders to ensure its posterity.