Igbo music (Igbo: Egwu nkwa ndi Igbo) is the music of the Igbo people, who are indigenous to the southeastern part of Nigeria. Igbo music is generally lively, upbeat, and spontaneous which creates a variety of sounds that enables the Igbo people to incorporate music into almost all the facets of their daily lives. When examining the impact that music has on the culture of the Igbo people, one would have to look no further than the earliest accounts of the vast history of Igbo in Nigeria.
Igbo people are speculated to be descendants of the people of the Nok culture that inhabited a large area of central Nigeria from 1500 BC to 200 AD. The Nok civilization is very popular because of the vast amount of colorful artifacts that they left behind, which include an array of musical instruments some of which on surface examination are somewhat similar to those found in Igbo Ukwu. It is not known when the beginnings or first vestiges of Igbo music sprung up.
Artifact from the Nok culture
Traditional Igbo Musical Instruments
The drum is the most important musical instrument for Nigerians, and especially the Igbo people. This instrument is extensively used during celebrations, rites of passage, funerals, war, town meetings and an array of other events. The body of the drum is usually constructed from a hollowed out pear or cotton tree which is very durable yet malleable. The drum is then covered with antelope or cow skin.
The hide is fastened tightly to the top and bottom of the instrument with seven to eight studs, and with rope in a decorative manner. The studs are able to be adjusted for tuning purposes and sound accommodation. If the studs are tightened a high pitch is emitted. The opposite effect is heard if the studs are loosened. Typically, more than one Igba is played by several drummers at a time.
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The drum can be played by using four fingers from each hand. The right hand is used to beat the head of the drum, and the left hand is used to stop the vibration. If the musician stops the vibration closer to the edge of the drum head, a low pitch will be emitted. If the musician stops the vibration closer to the center, then a higher pitch will be emitted. The Igba can also be played using a curved drum stick, which can be found wrapped in fiber to produce a soft sound, or "naked" to produce hard sound.
The slit drum called the Ekwe is also very popular amongst the Igbo. This drum is constructed from a hollowed out palm, bamboo, or pear tree trunk. This drum is played using a "naked" wooden drum stick to strike the head.
The pot drum instrument is called the Kim-Kim or Udu. It is typically dumb-bell shaped, and is around 27 cm-29 cm in height with an opening at the top that is about three to five centimeters. The base of the drum is about 13 cm-15 cm wide, and the head is around eight to nine centimeters wide. This instrument is typically used to produce bass.
To achieve a low and deep sound, a minimal amount of water is added. To maintain a higher sound, a considerable amount of water is added to the pot. To play this instrument, the musician will brace it between her legs and grip the neck with her left hand. In order to produce a sound, the musician will cup her hand and beat the opening very rapidly. These drums are not talking drums. Although they produce a sound which is tonal, syncopated, and generally melodious - they have never been known as talking drums and are not spiritual in nature or usage. Igbo people speak.
Other Instruments
These instruments are another important part of Igbo music. The most prominent Gongs are the Olu and the Ogene. The Olu is a large Gong, about four feet long. The Ogene is smaller Gong and is about eight inches long. The Olu and Ogene are played by rhythmically beating the base of these instruments in cadence with the rest of the ensemble.
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The Ogene is used mostly for complementing drums and other percussion instruments. It is also very useful in helping dancers time their movements and gestures. Other instruments include a woodblock known as okpola, a wind instrument similar to the flute, called an Ọjà and the ichaka. The instrument is played by hand and produces a special and unique bass sound by quickly hitting the big hole. Furthermore, the whole corpus can be played by fingers (some experienced players also use toes).
Ogene instrument
Evolution and Modern Igbo Music
Though Igbo music remains very traditional, it has undergone some changes in old times. Some popular Igbo musicians past and present include: Sir Warrior (Head of Highlife), Oliver de Coque (King of Highlife), Celestine Ukwu, Onyeka Onwenu, Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe, Bright Chimezie (Duke of Highlife), Nico Mbarga, Oriental Brothers (Stars of Music), onyeoma tochukwu, Faze, umu obiligbo.
Igbo Music Evolution: From Folk To Modern
| Instrument Name | Type | Description | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Igba | Drum | Made from hollowed wood and animal skin. | Celebrations, rites of passage, funerals. |
| Ekwe | Slit Drum | Constructed from hollowed palm, bamboo, or pear tree trunk. | Various musical ensembles. |
| Kim-Kim/Udu | Pot Drum | Dumb-bell shaped pot with an opening. | Bass sounds in ensembles. |
| Olu | Gong | Large gong, about four feet long. | Rhythmic accompaniment. |
| Ogene | Gong | Smaller gong, about eight inches long. | Complementing drums, helping dancers with timing. |
| Ọjà | Wind instrument | Similar to the flute | Produces melodies. |
Read also: Voice Translation: Igbo to English
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