Igbo music (Igbo: Egwu nkwa ndi Igbo) is the music of the Igbo people, who are originally from the southeastern part of Nigeria. The Igbo people often use percussion instruments like drums and gongs because these instruments naturally create many different rhythms, sounds, and pitches.

Igbo music is usually lively, cheerful, and created in the moment. This variety of sounds allows the Igbo people to use music in many parts of their daily lives. Some well-known styles of Igbo music include Igbo highlife, Ogene, and Igbo gospel.

History

When studying how music affects the culture of the Igbo people, it is helpful to look at the early history of the Igbo in Nigeria. The Igbo are believed to be descendants of the people from the Nok culture, which lived in central Nigeria from about 1500 BC to 200 AD. The Nok civilization is well-known for leaving behind many colorful artifacts, including musical instruments. Some of these instruments look similar to those found in Igbo Ukwu. It is unclear exactly when Igbo music first began. However, traditional music has always played an important role in daily life, including lullabies, rhythmic proverbs, poems, work songs, and other forms of music.

Traditionally, music has been used to:

• Make celebrations more joyful, such as during the New Year, weddings, birthday parties, childbirth, and naming ceremonies
• Create a special and sacred atmosphere during church services, funerals, and eulogies
• Provide comfort and happiness, such as when parents sing lullabies to their children
• Accompany sports and labor
• Help historians remember and share stories

Instruments

The drum is the most important musical instrument for Nigerians, especially the Igbo people. It is used during many events, such as celebrations, important life events, funerals, wars, town meetings, and other gatherings. Because the drum is so varied, many different types have been created and improved over time.

The pot drum, called the Kim-Kim or Udu, is shaped like a dumbbell. It is about 27 cm to 29 cm tall, with a top opening that is 3 cm to 5 cm wide. The bottom is about 13 cm to 15 cm wide, and the top is 8 cm to 9 cm wide. This instrument is used to make deep, low sounds. A little water is added to create a low sound, and more water is added to make a higher sound. To play the Udu, the musician holds it between her legs and uses her left hand to grip the neck. She cups her hand and hits the top quickly to make sound. This instrument is often played by women during traditional events like weddings, community meetings, and rites of passage.

The Udu is the most common drum. It is also called Nkwa, Egwe, or Egede in different regions. These drums are not talking drums, even though they make tonal, rhythmic, and musical sounds. They are not used for spiritual purposes. The body of the Udu is made from a hollowed-out pear or cotton tree, which is strong and flexible. The top and bottom are covered with antelope or cow skin, which is tightly fastened with metal pieces and rope. The metal pieces can be adjusted to change the sound. Tightening them makes a high pitch, and loosening them makes a low pitch. Multiple Igba drums are often played together by several drummers. Each drummer uses four fingers from both hands. The right hand hits the drum’s surface, and the left hand stops the vibrations. Stopping vibrations near the edge makes a low sound, and stopping them near the center makes a high sound. The Igba can also be played with a curved stick wrapped in fiber for a soft sound or used without wrapping for a harder sound. This drum is used during celebrations, festivals, weddings, and rites of passage for both men and women.

The slit drum called the Ekwe is also popular among the Igbo. It is made from a hollowed-out palm, bamboo, or pear tree trunk. Two horizontal slits and a narrow connecting slit are carved into the base. The Ekwe is played with a wooden stick to strike the drum’s surface. It makes a clear sound and is used to signal emergencies, community meetings, or warn about intruders.

Other instruments, such as the okpola (a woodblock), Ọjà (a flute-like wind instrument), and ichaka, are also used in Igbo music. The Igbo have a style of music called Ikorodo, where all instruments are played together with singing.

The Udu is played by hand, making a unique, deep sound by quickly hitting the large opening. The entire body of the drum can be played with fingers or toes by skilled players. Today, it is used by percussionists in many music styles. [1] Archived 2009-03-05 at the Wayback Machine

List of Igbo Genres

• Igbo highlife: Ikwokirikwo, Igbo/Owerri bongo, Ikwerre Highlife, Anioma Highlife.
• Igbo rap
• Igbo Folk: Odumodu Ekpili Ogene Ikorodo Oja/Egwu Oja Egedege odumodu music
• Igbo gospel ariaria
• Igbo Hymn/Abu: Igbo Anglican Hymns, Igbo Catholic Hymns.

Today

Igbo music has remained traditional but has changed over time. In the 1960s and 1970s, a new type of music called Igbo highlife was created. This music combined traditional Igbo sounds with Western African highlife. Igbo highlife and other Igbo rhythms had a big influence on Latin American music.

Some well-known Igbo musicians from the past and today 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.

Some Igbo rappers include Ugoccie, Phyno, Jeriq.