Gbenopo as an expression of social capital in Badagry's Ogu musical culture

Invited Speaker: Dr Joseph Kunnuji, Senior Lecturer in African Music, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa In many postcolonial societies, indigenous knowledge and systems are often at risk of being rendered obsolete, especially with the introduction of formal education, a change in the political structure and integration into the global economy. Yet certain aspects of indigenous knowledge and values have shown resilience, sometimes being reimagined and recontextualised within postcolonial structures. In this webinar, I will discuss gbenopo (a conviviality concept among Ogu people of Badagry, Lagos, Nigeria) as a form of social capital that has been preserved as a survival strategy within contemporary structures, helping communities navigate layers of marginalisation and economic hardship. I will explore this concept by examining Ogu music and its performance settings as a case that animates Ogu philosophies and worldview. About the presenter: Joseph Kunnuji is a Senior Lecturer in African Music at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein, South Africa. His doctoral research examined Ogu music as a marginalised practice in Lagos. His recent projects continue to explore lesser-known African musical practices. He is an associate editor with the Journal of the Musical Arts in Africa and has published in the Yearbook for Traditional Music and Popular Music and Society among others. The webinar was on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, and was part of the regular webinar sessions held by the International Social Capital Association https://www.intsocialcapital.org/