"Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche" | |
---|---|
Song by Mike Ejeagha | |
from the album Akuko N'Egwu Vol. 1 | |
Released | 1983 [1] |
Genre | Igbo Highlife |
Songwriter(s) | Mike Ejeagha |
"Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche" (English: "How the chairman was sold") is an Igbo highlife song by Nigerian musician Mike Ejeagha. Released in 1983 as part of his album Akuko N'Egwu Vol. 1, the song gained recognition in 2024 due to a viral dance challenge inspired by comedian Brain Jotter. The song's melody and lyrics, which tell a folktale about a tortoise and an elephant, have resonated with audiences of different ages.
Mike Ejeagha, often referred to as "Gentleman Mike Ejeagha," is a figure in the Nigerian music landscape, known for his contributions to the highlife genre. [2] [3] [4] Born in the early 1930s in Owa, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Ejeagha's musical journey spans decades. [4] Ejeagha's music blends traditional Igbo rhythms and melodies with Western musical influences. His lyrics draw inspiration from Igbo folklore and proverbs. [5]
"Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche" is an example of Igbo highlife music, characterised by its rhythmic instrumentation and storytelling lyrics. [3] [4] The song narrates a classic Igbo folktale centered around the cleverness of the tortoise, Mbe, and the might of the elephant, Enyi. [3] [1] The lyrics, rich in Igbo cultural references, have resonated with audiences, especially the song's chorus, featuring the repetitive phrase "Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo". [6]
The resurgence of "Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche" can be largely attributed to a viral dance challenge that spread across social media platforms in 2024. [7] [2] [3] [4] The trend was started by Nigerian comedian Brain Jotter, who incorporated the song into one of his skits. The dance routine involves two people facing each other, then walking towards one another before engaging in a series of leg movements. The chorus of the song, featuring the repetitive "Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo," provides the rhythmic backdrop for the dance. [4] The challenge gained momentum with millions of people, including celebrities, sharing their own versions on social media platforms. [3]
Afrobeat is a West African music genre, fusing influences from Nigerian and Ghanian music, with American funk, jazz, and soul influences. With a focus on chanted vocals, complex intersecting rhythms, and percussion, the style was pioneered in the 1960s by Nigerian multi-instrumentalist and bandleader Fela Kuti, who popularised it both within and outside Nigeria. At the height of his popularity, he was referred to as one of Africa's most "challenging and charismatic music performers."
The music of Guadeloupe encompasses a large popular music industry, which gained in international renown after the success of zouk music in the later 20th century. Zouk's popularity was particularly intense in France, where the genre became an important symbol of identity for Guadeloupe and Martinique. Zouk's origins are in the folk music of Guadeloupe and Martinique, especially Guadeloupan gwo ka and Martinican chouval bwa, and the pan-Caribbean calypso tradition.
The music of Nigeria includes many kinds of folk and popular music. Little of the country's music history prior to European contact has been preserved, although bronze carvings dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries have been found depicting musicians and their instruments. The country's most internationally renowned genres are Indigenous, Apala, Aurrebbe music, Rara music, Were music, Ogene, Fuji, Jùjú, Afrobeat, Afrobeats, Igbo highlife, Afro-juju, Waka, Igbo rap, Gospel,Nigerian pop and Yo-pop. Styles of folk music are related to the over 250 ethnic groups in the country, each with their own techniques, instruments, and songs. The largest ethnic groups are the Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba. Traditional music from Nigeria and throughout Africa is often functional; in other words, it is performed to mark a ritual such as the wedding or funeral and not to achieve artistic goals. Although some Nigerians, especially children and the elderly, play instruments for their own amusement, solo performance is otherwise rare. Music is closely linked to agriculture, and there are restrictions on, for example, which instruments can be played during different parts of the planting season.
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Enugu State is a state in the South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria, bordered to the north by the states of Benue and Kogi, Ebonyi State to the east and southeast, Abia State to the south, and Anambra State to the west. The state takes its name from its capital and largest city, Enugu. The city acquired township status in 1917 and was called Enugwu-Ngwo. Due to the rapid expansion towards areas owned by other indigenous communities, it was renamed Enugu in 1928.
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Igbo culture are the customs, practices and traditions of the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria. It consists of ancient practices as well as new concepts added into the Igbo culture either by cultural evolution or by outside influence. These customs and traditions include the Igbo people's visual art, music and dance forms, as well as their attire, cuisine and language dialects. Because of their various subgroups, the variety of their culture is heightened further.
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Mike Ejeagha is a Nigerian folklorist, songwriter, and musician from Enugu State, located in the southeastern part of Nigeria. Ejeagha started his career in music in the mid-20th century. Also known as Gentleman Mike Ejeagha, Ejeagha has been influential in the evolution of music in the Igbo language for over 6 decades. His first hit was in 1960 - the year of Nigeria's independence.
Igbo highlife is a contemporary musical genre which combines highlife and Igbo traditional music. The genre is primarily guitar-based music, with a rare characteristic blend of horns and vocal rhythms. Igbo highlife lyrics are sung mostly in Igbo with occasional infusion of Pidgin English. One of the most influential composers and performers of the music is Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe whose career spanned over 40 years. Osadebe's discography comprises numerous popular songs including the 1984 hit "Osondi Owendi" which launched him on the world stage as a pioneer of the Igbo highlife genre.
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