Igbo music is the music of the Igbo people

Igbo people

Igbo people, also referred to as the Ibo, Ebo, Eboans or Heebo are an ethnic group living chiefly in southeastern Nigeria. They speak Igbo, which includes various Igboid languages and dialects; today, a majority of them speak English alongside Igbo as a result of British colonialism...

, who are indigenous to the southeastern part of Nigeria. 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.
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. Some very popular Igbo music styles are Highlife

Highlife

Highlife is a musical genre that originated in Ghana in the 1900s and spread to Sierra Leone, Nigeria and other West African countries by 1920...

, Odumodu

Odumodu music

Odumodu is a style of music that originates among the Ohuhu people of the Igbo ethnic group, in south eastern Nigeria and is sang among mature men. The style incorporates many traditional Igbo music instruments such as the udu and ekwe. Odumodu features vocals from a single male who leads a group...

 and Waka

Waka music

Waka music is a popular Islamic-oriented Yoruba musical genre. It was made popular by Alhaja Batile Alake from Ijebu, who took the genre into the mainstream Nigerian music by playing it at concerts and parties; also, she was the first waka singer to record an album. Later, younger singers like...

.

History

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 were most likely descendents of the people of the Nok culture that inhabited much of Nigeria from 500 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. It is from these humble beginnings that the first vestiges of Igbo music sprung up and began to influence and shape the culture in many ways.

Cultural Impact

Traditionally music has been used to:

• Enhance celebrations, such as during the New Year, weddings, birthday parties, childbirth and naming ceremonies
• To bring about a historically sacred ambiance at church services, funerals, and eulogies
• For pleasure, such as when lullabies are sung by parents to their children
• For sports and labor
• To guide historians as they recant stories

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. Since this instrument is so diverse, many types of drums have been crafted and perfected over the years.

Pot Drum

The pot drum instrument is called the Kim- Kim or Udo. 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. Usually, this instrument has been played by women and is used for traditional rites of passage, weddings, and community club meetings.

Talking Drum

The Udu is the most common and popular drum. This instrument is also known as Nkwa, Egwe, or Egede, depending on the part of the country.
These drums are also known as the talking drums because they produce a sound which is tonal, syncopated, and accented in ways that are very similar to way in which the Igbo people speak. 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 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. This drum is very versatile and is usually played during celebrations, festivals, weddings, male and female rites of passage, and sometimes funerals.

Slit Drum (Ekwe)

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. Once the trunk has been cleaned, two horizontal slits are carved into the base as well as a narrow slit
connecting the two. This drum is played using a “naked” wooden drum stick to strike the head. The Ekwe produces a distinct sound and for this reason is usually used for signaling an emergency, community meetings, or warning of intruders’ presence.

Gongs

These instruments are another important part of Igbo music. While not as important as the drum, these instruments do provide much needed rhythm and accompaniment.

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 complimenting drums and other percussion instruments. It is also very useful in helping dancers time their movements and gestures. The Olu produces a very distinct sound and is mostly used to warn the community of any danger or as a call for attention in case of an important announcement.

Other instruments

Other instruments include a woodblock known as okpola, a wind instrument similar to the flute, called an oja

Oja

Oja may refer to:Places*Oja , river in La Rioja, Spain*Öja , island in Kokkola region, Finland*Ōja Station, railway station in Hashikami, Japan*5080 Oja, main-belt asteroid, named after Tarmo Oja-People:Surname...

and the ichaka. The Igbo also have a style of music called Ikorodo, which is when all the musical instruments are played together with vocal accompaniment.

Udu

The instrument is played by hand and produces a special and unique bass sound http://www.schlagwerk-percussion.de/sound/ududrums/u80_neckudu.mp3 by quickly hitting the big hole. Furthermore the whole corpus can be played by fingers (some experienced players also use toes). Today it is widely used by percussionists in different music styles.

Igbo Music Today

Though Igbo music remains very traditional, it has undergone some changes in old times. In the 60’s and 70’s a new genre of music was born called High-Life. This was a fusion of traditional West African Music and music from Western cultures. It combined fast tempo Hispanic beats and colorful Reggae, with rhythmic West African sounds. Recently, Nigerian rappers have also brought changes to the palates of the Igbo people with the infusion of hip-hop. This music is a cross between American rap beats and Igbo lyrics.

Notable Igbo Musicians

Some popular Igbo musicians include: Sir Warrior (Head of Highlife), Oliver de Coque

Oliver De Coque

Oliver De Coque is a well known name in Nigeria as well as the Nigerian music circle. Though many believe he was not a Nigerian owing to his popular name which has a French leaning, he had started music with Ekpili at the age of 17. Oliver De Coque was from Ezinifite, Nnewi South Local Government...

 (King of Highlife), Celestine Ukwu, Onyeka Onwenu

Onyeka Onwenu

Onyeka Onwenu is a Nigerian singer, actress and politician. In 2006 she won the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a supporting role. She is currently the chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture.-Filmography:...

, Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe

Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe

Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe , often referred to as just Osadebe, was an Igbo Nigerian Highlife musician from Atani. His career spanned over 40 years, and he is one of the most well known Igbo highlife musicians...

, Bright Chimezie

Bright Chimezie

Bright Chimezie , also known as Okoro Junior, is a Nigerian highlife musician. His type of music, popularly known as zzigima, became widely available in Nigeria from the early 80s.- References :...

 (Duke of Highlife), Nico Mbarga, Oriental Brothers (Stars of Music), Faze

Faze

Faze means to frighten or cause hesitation to someone.Faze may also refer to:* Faze , a Canadian magazine* Faze , a Nigerian musician* FaZe , a trickshotting team in Call of Duty...

, Dr Alban, Lemar

Lemar

Lemar Obika , professionally known simply as Lemar, is an English recording artist. Obika has had a run of chart success in the UK, Europe and Australia...

 and Nnenna Freelon

Nnenna Freelon

Nnenna Freelon, , is an American jazz singer, composer, producer, and arranger. She has been nominated for five Grammy Awards for her vocal work, and has performed and toured with such top artists as Ray Charles, Ellis Marsalis, Al Jarreau, Anita Baker, Aretha Franklin, Dianne Reeves, Diana Krall,...

. More...