Journal of the Association of Nigerian Musicologists. Vol. 15 No. 1 (2021): 236-247. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/janm/article/view/213951 236 Indigenous Music and Religion among Ilorin People of North Central Nigeria IBITOYE, Oluwatosin John Department of Performing Arts, Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria. oluwatosin.ibitoye@kwasu.edu.ng; +2347064296296 Abstract The diachronic realities of indigenous African culture (especially that of music) in the consciousness of rising modern popular culture calls for urgent attention. Hence, it is imperative for scholars and researchers to pay attention to the dwindling knowledge of culture. Against this backdrop, this study documents the indigenous music arts among Ilorin people of Kwara State in North Central, Nigeria. This ethnographic research relies on descriptive method, field observations of indigenous musicians in Ilorin and book reviews. This study reveals the influence of the Islamic religion on the indigenous musical arts in Ilorin vis-à-vis urbanization and modern culture as acceptance and popularity of the indigenous practices is reliant on the permeation of religion. Findings reveal the multifaceted functionalities of these indigenous styles and the issue of gender relativity in their musicianship. This study posits that, the syncretic effects of western culture, civilization, religion, the issue of culture change against the culture of restraint contributed to the evolution and emergence of new indigenous styles, thereby, sending old styles into oblivion. This study therefore recommends the need for more efficiency of designated centres and repositories of culture discussed in this study, in the bid to preserve music of the Ilorin people. Keywords: Indigenous music, Ethnography, Religion, Ilorin culture, Nigeria Introduction Music, culture and the society as separate concepts are intertwined and inextricably linked together. Music permeates and transcends culture and the society it evolved. Studies on the musical practices in primitive and folk cultures reveals that there was practically no aspect of life in which music did not play an essential and functional part. It was an integral part of important public acts, festivities, rituals, and ceremonies. From the cradle to grave, literally, music has been an omnipresent factor in most primitive and folk societies. It is closely associated with every step/ stages in human life with vital biological and social activities. This assertion is evident in the current sociocultural realities. Music is inherently social and cultural in its