PERFORMATIVE COMMUNICATION AND INDIGENOUS DIPLOMACY IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION: UKPUKPE DRUMMING AND THE YORUBA TALKING DRUM
Keywords:
Ukpukpe, Yoruba Talking Drum, performative communication, indigenous diplomacy, conflict resolution, African musicAbstract
Indigenous conflict resolution mechanisms in Africa have historically relied on culturally embedded performative communication systems. Among the Aniocha people of Delta State, the Ukpukpe drum has been central in mediating disputes, while the Yoruba Talking Drum has played a similar role among the Yoruba communities of southwestern Nigeria. This paper investigates the interplay of performance, musical symbolism, and diplomacy in these indigenous contexts. Using an ethnographic approach, field observations, and literature synthesis, the study demonstrates that drumming operates as a performative language capable of conveying social norms, facilitating negotiation, and restoring communal harmony. Findings reveal that the Ukpukpe and Yoruba drums not only communicate messages but also reinforce cultural identity, social cohesion, and moral authority. This study contributes to the understanding of performative communication in African diplomacy and highlights the importance of preserving indigenous knowledge systems in contemporary conflict resolution.
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