The snail, the mute and the backyard-turned-public pathway in the identity dynamics of Igbo women’s music

This study investigates the identity of women as represented in the music of the Igbo in southeastern Nigeria. I explore the philosophies animating the concept and practice of indigenous Igbo music and attempt to decipher the extent to which it informs the portrayal of women in indigenous and contemporary Igbo women’s popular music. Employing descriptive and analytical research methods, I analyse samples of songs by selected indigenous Igbo women’s musical ensembles and popular female Igbo musicians from Igboland. Hinging on feminist muted group theory and African feminist theories of snail-sense and the backyard-turned-public pathway, this paper sheds light on how female musicians portray women. I argue that the depictions of women differ because of the diverse identities and intentions of female musicians. This study provides ethnomusicological insights into gender dynamics and feminist studies.