Epistemic Reconciliation in Nigerian Air Force Musical Identity.

Abstract:

This study addressed the limited understanding of how African military ensembles reconcile colonial musical legacies with indigenous knowledge systems and emerging ecological concerns, focusing specifically on the Nigerian Air Force Band. The research examined how the ensemble negotiated these intersecting pressures and why this process matters for contemporary debates on culture, identity, and sustainability. A qualitative ethnographic design was employed, drawing on performance transcripts, interviews, and archival materials from a purposive sample of 45 participants, including band members, community observers, and cultural policy stakeholders. Thematic and critical discourse analyses revealed that the band integrated African rhythmic and melodic idioms into its military repertoire, with 75 percent of observed performances incorporating indigenous elements, and that ecological motifs, although less frequent, were recognised by 70 percent of community observers as symbols of environmental awareness. Archival records showed a long term shift toward indigenous compositions, increasing from 10 percent in 1980 to 55 percent in 2025. These findings indicate that the ensemble actively reworked inherited musical structures, fostering epistemic reconciliation and strengthening cultural legitimacy. The study contributes new empirical evidence to debates on African military music, demonstrating that such ensembles function not only as instruments of state representation but also as agents of cultural resilience and ecological consciousness.