Moral Themes and Ethical Teachings in Selected Urhobo Traditional Songs of Sally Young and Okpan Arhibo

Music occupies a significant position in African societies as a medium for preserving indigenous knowledge, transmitting cultural values, and promoting communal consciousness. Among the Urhobo people of Delta State, Nigeria, traditional musicians have historically served as social commentators and custodians of moral and cultural heritage. Despite the cultural importance of Urhobo music, limited scholarly attention has been given to the ethical teachings embedded in it. This study therefore examines the moral themes and ethical teachings in selected songs of Chief Daniel Iriferi [Sally Young] and Joseph Odjevwedje [Okpan Arhibo]. Adopting a qualitative textual and interpretative approach, the study analyses Ono Vwakpo and No Basket for Rotten Mango as Urhobo cultural music containing reflections on human existence, social responsibility, marriage, and moral conduct. The findings reveal that the selected songs function beyond entertainment by serving as instruments of ethical instruction and social commentary. While Sally Young’s Ono Vwakpo reflects on the transient nature of life and encourages meaningful living, Okpan Arhibo’s No Basket for Rotten Mango emphasises the sanctity of marriage, responsible relationships, and adherence to communal moral expectations. The study further demonstrates that through metaphor, indigenous language, and cultural symbolism, both musicians preserve and transmit important ethical values. The study concludes that Urhobo traditional music represents a valuable repository of indigenous moral philosophy and communal knowledge. It recommends sustained documentation and scholarly engagement with indigenous music as important resources for preserving African cultural and ethical traditions.