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ALAN P. MERRIAM
the emotionalism of a ritual climax. TIley provide a method of pleasure, or rather the sharing in a collective expression of pleasure,
controlling, by supernatural means, sequences of natural events must ever incline us to such expansive feelings. . . .
otherwise uncontrollable. Further, some types of songs provide an In this way the dance produces a condition in which the unity,
outlet for individual creativity while many may be used simply to harmony and concord of the community are at a maximum, and
conquer personal dysphoria. In every case, the enculturative func in which they are intensely felt by every member. It is to produce
tion of the music in helping to shape the social personality of the this condition, I would maintain, that is the primary social func
Aboriginal in the Yirkalla pattern rather than in some other, is tion of the dance. The well-being, or indeed the existence, of the
apparent. (1956:41) society depends on the unity and harmony that obtain in it, and
the dance, by making that unity intensely felt, is a means of
The function of contribution to the integration of society. In a sense maintaining it. For the dance affords an opportunity for the direct
we have anticipated this function of music in the preceding paragraph, for action of the community upon the individual, and we have seen
it is clear that in providing a solidarity point around which members of that it exercises in the individual those sentiments by which the
society congregate, music does indeed function to integrate society. This
social harmony is maintained. (1948:249, 251, 252)
function has been commented upon by a number of writers. Nketia,
speaking of the Yoruba musician in Accra, says, "For the Yoruba in Accra, Music, then, provides a rallying point around which the members of
performances of Yoruba music . . . bring both the satisfaction of society gather to engage in activities which require the cooperation and
participating in something familiar and the assurance of belonging to a coordination of the group. Not all music is thus performed, of course, but
group sharing in similar values, similar ways of life, a group maintaining every society has occasions signalled by music which draw its members
similar art forms. Music thus brings a renewal of tribal solidarity" together and reminds them of their unity.
( 1958:43) . Elkin remarks that while the varied activities of the Australian It is quite possible that this list of the functions of music may require
Songman might bring him admiration, "it would not make a social condensation or expansion, but in general it summarizes the role of music
institution. This arises from his function as a unifying and integrating in human culture. Music is clearly indispensable to the proper promulga
factor in his clan and tribe" (1953:92). Freeman's remarks' (1957) tion of the activities that constitute a society; it is a universal human
concerning Hawaiian folksong suggest that songs of social protest may behavior-without it, it is questionable that man could truly be called
allow the individual to let off steam and thus to "adjust to social condi man, with all that implies.
tions as they are," or they "may accomplish social change through
mobilizing group sentiment. In either case such verses function to reduce
societal imbalance and to integrate the society." We may also recall Keil's
dichotomy (1962) between the "solidarity" and "release" functions of
music, in which composers are "attempting to express cultural unity" in
their music and inviting "the listener to identify with the collective
American cxperience, binding every conceivable musical device to that
purpose." Finally, in speaking of the Andamanese dance, Radcliffe-Brown
stresses the integrative function:
The Andamanese dance (with its accompanying song) may
therefore be described as an activity in which, by virtue of the
effects of rhythm and melody, all the members of a community
are able harmoniously to cooperate and act in unity . . .
The pleasure that the dancer feels irradiates itself over every
thing around him and he is filled with geniality and good-will
towards his companions. TI1C sharing with others of an intensc
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