Sing Folk Song – Basic 1 Cultural & Creative Arts Lesson Note (Second Term)

A folk song is a traditional song that comes from our culture. Our grandparents sang folk songs, and they are passed down through generations. Each tribe has its own folk songs. Folk songs preserve culture, teach good behaviour, tell stories of the past, and show who we are.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• say what a folk song is
• name the three major tribes in Nigeria and where they are mostly found
• sing a folk song from their own tribe and say what it means
• give reasons why folk songs are important
• show respect for the folk songs of all cultures

What is a folk song?

• Folk songs are traditional songs.
• They come from our culture.
• Our grandparents sang them.
• They are passed down through generations.
• Each tribe has its own folk songs.

Which are the major tribes in Nigeria?

• Yoruba: West (Lagos, Oyo, Osun, etc.)
• Igbo: East (Anambra, Enugu, Imo, etc.)
• Hausa: North (Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, etc.)

What are some examples of folk songs?

Yoruba folk songs

• “Ise oluwa ko seun o” (God’s work cannot be done lazily)
• “Baa mi lo ree, baa mi lo ree” (Come with me, come with me)

Igbo folk songs

• “Onye nwere nwanne” (He who has siblings)
• “Olee bu onye” (Who is it?)

Hausa folk song

• “Ina kwana, ina kwana” (Good morning, good morning)

Why are folk songs important?

1. Preserve culture: They keep traditions alive.
2. Teach values: They teach us good behaviour.
3. Tell history: They tell stories of the past.
4. Unite people: They bring tribes together.
5. Entertainment: They make us happy.
6. Identity: They show who we are.

How do I learn my folk song?

1. Ask your parents what tribe you are from.
2. Learn one folk song from your tribe.
3. Learn the meaning of the words.
4. Practise singing it.
5. Sing with your family.
6. Share with your class.

Why should we respect all cultures?

• Every tribe’s song is beautiful.
• We respect all folk songs.
• We can learn songs from other tribes.
• Nigeria is one country with many cultures.

Evaluation

Choose the correct answer.

1. Folk songs come from our _____.
   • a) enemies
   • b) culture
   • c) school only
2. Folk songs are passed down from _____.
   • a) strangers
   • b) our grandparents
   • c) foreigners
3. Nigeria has _____ major tribes.
   • a) one
   • b) three
   • c) one hundred
4. Yoruba people are mostly in _____ Nigeria.
   • a) North
   • b) East
   • c) West
5. Folk songs help preserve our _____.
   • a) culture
   • b) food
   • c) anger

Assignment

1. Ask your parents: What tribe are we from?
2. Learn one folk song from your tribe.
3. Sing the folk song to your family.
4. Draw traditional clothes from your tribe.
5. Share your folk song with the class.