N. A. ZAKHAROVA Graduate student P. G. Demidov Yaroslavl State University Keywords: Nigeria, protest music, elections, yoruba, Goodluck jonathan, Fela Kuti Music of the Yoruba people, one of the largest in Nigeria*, has a number of important functions in the social and political life of society. For centuries, as one of the means of transmitting information, it has played a special role in traditional culture. Music was integrated into all spheres of life-from intra-natal and intra-family relations (a mourning funeral song) to political events (a solemn song on the occasion of the announcement of a new leader).1. Yoruba" talking drums " ** before the advent of relatively developed infrastructure, were one of the means of transmitting news, messages and friendly greetings between villages.2 In the political history of modern Nigeria, we can find many examples when the use of music helped to activate the electorate, mobilize various social groups to vote and nominate candidates, and form opposition to official authorities. Music is especially important during election campaigns. Yoruba music in conditions of low level of political culture development and low literacy of the majority of the population is one of the most effective communication tools, being an expression of both certain "floating in the air" ideas (for example, the desire for free expression of will) and moods, including those related to the manifestation of reaction to specific events. Musical groups, as carriers of certain views and attitudes, can participate in political actions and thus feel involved in politics. Yoruba songs can serve a consolidating function, on the one hand, educating and educating, and on the other - stimulating to respect the rule of law and morality, developing the idea of equality and the struggle for justice and, ultimately, preventing the degradation of society in conditions when every political force tries to flirt with the voters and manipulate them. In the traditional so ... Read more