6. A Contextual and Functional Analysis of Na’o Folk Songs

The main objective of this study is to analyze the contextual function of one of the endangered elements of Nao culture- folk songs. To achieve this goal, observation and interview data collection methods were employed. Consultants were identified using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. The Contextual and functional approaches were consulted to conduct the research. Based on the mentioned research methodology, researchers described the findings as follows: Nao people use their folk songs exactly in the context of their cultural activities. In the culture, the people perform folk songs during different occasions, for example, folk song during marriage which is called ‘Yaahe iiwosee’ (‘where is his home…’), during plowing their farm ‘wookisee wookasaa’ (‘we sung this song during…’). They use their folk songs while cultivating their staple food- inset. They have a special folk song when they are celebrating the first day of using their harvested teff which is called ‘kookee’. Nao people never use teff before they come together and celebrate by singing folk songs. Every folk song is accompanied by traditional musical instruments. Nao youth express their readiness for marriage by growing inset and singing folk songs using traditional musical instruments such as kamba, kirar, imbilta and golfa. Among these Golf is the most favorite musical instrument which is played by 12 individuals at a time. One can hear different sounds from each individual who plays with it. Therefore, folk songs are everything to Nao people. Every cultural activity is accompanied by folk songs which help the people to accomplish their activities. The people use them to express their happiness and sorrow, their wish and interest. Therefore, the researchers recommend that these endangered folk songs need to be collected and well-documented as they are the reflectors of the people’s life.