Igbo Music: A Vibrant Expression of Nigerian Culture

Dec 11, 2025 0

Igbo music (Igbo: Egwu nkwa ndi Igbo) is the music of the Igbo people, who are indigenous to the southeastern part of Nigeria. Most of Igbo music is lively, energetic, and spontaneous, which produces a wide range of sounds that allow the Igbo people to incorporate music into practically every aspect of their everyday 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 occupied 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.

Musical instruments are instrument created or adapted to make musical sounds. In Igbo culture, musical instruments are employed for more than just generating music; they also serve as a medium for translating and emitting daily experiences and happenings to both man and spirit. These musical instruments are used primarily by masquerade, dance, and musical groups in special human activities like; rituals, spiritual and cultural events as well as births of new born and funerals.

The traditional Igbo society was not a literate one. We had our culture, traditions and music before the coming of the early missionaries. In the olden days, Igbo people did not derive entertainment from books rather they developed and derived joy from imaginations through oral narratives including traditional (folk) music and dance. According to Emenyonu (1978), Igbo oral tradition or folklore (oral performance) is the foundation of the traditional Igbo music and they include folksongs, folktales, proverbs, prayers including incantations, histories, legends, myths, drama, oratory and festivals.

In Africa generally, music plays an important part in the lives of the people and one of the major characteristics of African music is that it has function.

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Key Instruments in Igbo Music

The Igbo traditionally rely heavily on percussion instruments such as the drum and the gong, which are popular because of their innate ability to provide a diverse array of tempo, sound, and pitch. The Igbo have a rhythm of music which consists of drums, flute, Ogene, Igba, Ichaka and other instruments. When accompanied by vocals this style of music is called Ikorodo.

Drums

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.

The Igba 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.

Igba has various names based on its size. The Ogidi is a piece of hollow wood covered at one end with animal hide held down tight with fasteners. The artist carries it over his shoulder with the help of a shoulder strap. The cylinder-drum is used to accompany dances, songs, religious rituals, and secular festivities. Its music has been used to announce both good and terrible news in the past.

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.

The Ekwe is an Igbo traditional musical instrument used by the Africans to create music at festive or celebrations. It is made from wood and it’s hollow. Igbo people play the Ekwe, a two-pitch log drum. Yellow or red hardwoods are the two types available. It is either played with a simple, straight wooden stick or a short beater with a rubber tip that resembles a huge balafon or an Alo (long gong-bell) mallet. The Ube wood that is used to carve Yellow Ekwe log drums is also referred to as "white wood," but not because the drum's exterior is naturally yellow; rather, the drum's shell is painted with a yellow powder that has been diluted in water before being applied to the drum. The naturally red wood used to carve the Red Ekwe is referred to as "Orji" in Igbo.

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. connecting the two. This drum is played using a "naked" wooden drum stick to strike the head.

The Nkonko/Nkpokoro, also known as Ekwe nta or Ekwe Aka or Okwa, is a very small Ekwe that can be played with just one hand.

Ikoro, The most cherished and esteemed musical instrument in Igbo Land. Everything comes to a complete stop when the Ikoro calls. The Ikoro is a sizable slit drum that is used in Igbo land for communication. Ikoro brings a sense of urgency to Igbo land and cannot be defeated by anyone. It is crucial that everyone congregates in the village square whenever the Ikoro sound is heard. People in the area instantly assume that one of the following has occurred: the land has been defiled, war has broken out, a calamity has befallen the community, etc. Everyone must congregate in the village square to hear the most recent news whenever the Ikoro call is heard. The size is the only distinction between Ikoro and Ekwe. Ekwe is portable and compact in comparison to Ikoro, which cannot be carried by one person and is never moved from one area to another.

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Igbo drum

Gongs

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. The Ogene is used mostly for complementing drums and other percussion instruments. Additionally, it is particularly helpful in helping dancers time their movements and gestures.

In Igboland, the Ogene, a bell-like instrument resembling a gong, is frequently employed as the "master instrument" in a bell orchestra. It is an instrument of the struck idiophone class produced locally by skilled blacksmiths out of iron. The bell is hollow within and has a conical-like flattish shape. Despite being a traditional music, Ogene has made its way into the contemporary Afrobeats genre. Additionally, it is particularly helpful in helping dancers time their gestures and movements.

Alo is a struck idiophone instrument that makes a loud, sharp sound, just like the Ogene.

Flute (Oja)

The Oja is as old as the Igbo people. The culture of the Igbo people is an ancient civilization, and their art of music is as old as the culture itself. You can’t relate age to folk art, and like most African societies, what we can call art today was part of a whole institutionalized ritual and spirituality. Another school of thought says that Oja originated from the city of Uga in the state of Anambra (precisely in my state). It’s hard to say what particular year it was, but it’s as old as Igbo culture.

The sound produced from this flute is not just a random sound played but an esoteric art, making Oja the soul of Igbo music. It's a carved piece of wood that is designed to play by using fingers and lips. The artist blows air through the carved holes and manipulates the sound of the music. They control the rhythm of the music with the two smallest holes on the top and leave the bottom hole alone to create sounds.

Oja was also used in an old Igbo movie called “Things Fall Apart” when a missionary brought Christianity to the eastern region of Nigeria. Oja is more than just a musical instrument. It is a being and instrument of invocation and intoxication, and sometimes both. For an Igbo person, Oja is a voice that speaks. Not a human voice, but Spirits speak through Ogbu-oja (playing it). Thus, it is a communication tool, which is better called an invocation. Oja adds value, life and relevance to Igbo culture when played by a professional. It has its own unique way to convey information to people who not only hear, but also understand the rhythm it produces.

This is also known as the singing flute. It is a type of Oja that is primarily used in the accompaniment of women’s dances of all types. This is the smallest and highest-pitched type of Oja, specially used in the performance of masquerade music. These flutes are typically shorter in length, which contributes to their characteristic high-pitched sound. This is a type of Oja that is characterized by a low sound. This Oja is usually used in pairs, with one Oja playing the lead melody and the other responding. This is a type of Oja that is specially used in the ceremonies of men who have reached maturity.

Art in itself is pristine. The Oja is an art indigenous to the Igbo people. The role it plays in society when a professional plays cannot be overestimated. It has its own unique feeling that it sends to the listeners.

Palm Wine Highlife Musician

Other Instruments

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).

Ichaka is one of the most basic Igbo musical instruments, but its sound can still take you by surprise. It makes a rattling sound when you shake or tap the Ichaka. It frequently serves as a complement to other musical instruments. Typically, two varieties of ichaka are produced.

The Opi is constructed from elephant tusk or animal horn. It has a hole at the edge where air may be pushed through to create sound.

Nyo is a percussion instrument consisting of a closed basket with a flat bottom filled with seeds or other small particles. The round bottom is traditionally cut from a dried gourd. Nyo is an indirectly struck idiophone.

Okike, Ọdu-mkpalọ and Enenke are all trumpets or horns made from the bones or horns of wild animals. In accordance with the standards and values associated with the animals from which it is derived, each horn is treated with respect and given its proper purpose. Therefore, the Igbo people make use of these musical instruments to achieve their goals in social responsibilities such title taking (Ichi Ọzọ), marriages, funeral rites, and emergencies.

Ọdu-okike or okike is the most famous, sophisticated and rare Igbo musical instrument is the okike. The Okike is mostly used by an Ọzo or Nze and is made from an elephant's tusk. Only in situations denoting riches and power is okike utilised. It is used during installations into Ọzọ or Nze titleships, Ofala and major festivals. Additionally, it is utilised during the performance of titled individuals' funeral rites as well as during the customary Igbo the elite wedding ceremonies. It can be blown both individually and collectively. Okike's distinctive tone connotes celebration and social development.

Ọdu-mkpala-alọ is a short form of okike which must be held by the Igbo Ọzọ titled man. Unlike the okike which is heavy and long, odu-mkpa-alọ is held constantly on any occasion, be it marriage, death or a town gathering. It is associated with the red cap and eagle feathers for the ọzọ man and must be exhibited always for social recognition.

Enenke is a horn made from the wild animal known as ene (deer), unlike the okike and ọdu mkpalo-alo. It serves a very distinct purpose than the other two. It is a warning sign for danger or death when heard around midnight. Late evenings may be for the heralding of mortuary rites. In the mornings, it may be for festivals, marriage attendance or a call for emergency meetings at the village square. In burials, great men and heroes go home to the sound of enenke.

Ekpiri is a type of percussion instrument used by the Igbo which produces a sound when shaken.

The ubo-aka is a “thumb piano” of the Igbo people. Ubo is an Igbo musical instrument like that of a string guitar with Several cane stalks bound together. The strings are made by raising the hard part of the canes on both sides. The front strings are played while the back strings act as resonators. Ubo, just like Ubo Akwara is rarely used these days.

Evolution and Modern Influence

Though Igbo music remains very traditional, it has undergone some changes in old times.

Another traditional music genres which can be named is highlife which is popularized and developed between Igbo people. It originally came from Ghana, but got adopted and developed by Igbo people of Nigeria too.

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. For more examples, see List of Igbo people § Musicians.

Despite being a traditional music, Ogene has made its way into the contemporary Afrobeats genre.

The traditional music of Nigeria is huge and diverse.

Table of Igbo Musical Instruments

Instrument Name	Type	Description
Igba	Drum	A drum constructed from a hollowed tree and covered with animal skin.
Ekwe	Slit Drum	A drum made from a hollowed palm, bamboo, or pear tree trunk.
Ogene	Gong	A smaller gong used to complement drums and help dancers with timing.
Oja	Flute	A carved wooden flute used for communication and invocation.
Udu	Pot Drum	A clay pot drum used to produce bass sounds.
Ichaka	Percussion	A basic instrument that makes a rattling sound when shaken.
Okike	Trumpet/Horn	A trumpet or horn made from the bones or horns of wild animals.