BEYOND RITUAL AND ENTERTAINMENT: ETHNOGRAPHY OF EGWU OGENE IN ENUGU SOUTH EAST, NIGERIA

Abstract

Égwú ógēnè (the bell music) is an indigenous music of the Enugu people of Southeastern Nigeria. The music derives its name from the ógēnè, the metal bell. Traditionally, this music is typically used during ritual and later entertainment performances of the Spirit Manifest. It is much gendered as the instruments are played only by men. In recent times, this music has moved beyond ritual and entertainment to the realm of physical fitness and the latter is the focus of my research and paper.