SOCIO-ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR WOMEN IN BÀTÚLÌ ÀLÀKÉ ̣ AND SÀLÀWÁ ÀBÈṆ Í’S WÁKÀ MUSICS

Abstract

Among the Yorubas, the role of women is being seen as passive and therefore has been
marginalized in the society. This paper critically appraises the role of women in the society as against
the societal beliefs. Bàtúlì Àlàké ̣and Sàlàwá Àbèṇ í are women whose songs are usually tailored towards
correcting social evils, social vices and criminality in the society. But more than that, their songs seem to
canvass for social and ethical considerations for women in the Nigeria public space. Being women
themselves, they have carved niches for themselves in the musical world which has accorded them
social acceptability and respect among Nigerian musicians and elites. The research approach is
qualitative and therefore seeks to reveal the socio-ethical consideration given to women from the Waka
Music of these renowned Waka Musicians within the general framework of Womanism Theory