EGWU-EKPILI IN ANAOCHA COMMUNITY: AESTHETIC AND DYNAMIC USE OF THE FOLKSONGS AS A TOOL FOR SOCIO-CULTURAL COMMUNICATION

Abstract

Many writers on African music have emphasized the extra-musical roles and functionality of traditional music. Attention has been drawn on the place of music as not mere art but as the life wire of various communities, making music a valued product integrated to all aspects of human life in Africa. Similarly, musical instruments have been noted to be significant in the execution of various forms of music, with many communities and cultural contexts utilizing and promoting musical instruments available in their social contexts. The body of musical outputs from Africa constitutes a strong cultural heritage that Africa boasts of and is constantly contributing to the global musical expressions. Indeed, African traditional music permeates the totality of a people‟s culture and life style. While so many musical traditions and specific styles have been given research attention, some critical and significant musical types remain untouched, denying researchers the inherent potential of such music. Egwu Ekpili ensemble from Anocha in Anambra State falls in this category. This paper, therefore, focuses on the Egwu-ekpili ensemble in Anocha Community of Anambra State with the intent of discussing the nature and specific norms of the music but with particular attention to the communicating power of the music in its peculiar aesthetic and dynamic forms. Attention is also given to the instruments and the uses of the ensemble in the society in the presentation. Data were collected through interviews, review of related literatures and observation. Findings were made and possible solutions proffered.