By
Obododimma Oha
Many local people in Uri Eke (officially recognized as " Uli") would tell you that good music comes from Abo. Maybe many in Abo have created good genres of traditional Igbo music and have had great influences on the musical styles of musicians in the town and other Igbo communities. At least many can hear the "ọdụ" (horn) and the the" ọyọ", as well as the rattle that are common in music from Abo. We also have the dance styles that are typically Abo. In fact, emerging musicians in Uri used to boast about their having been to Abo. That was to say that their music was " made in Abo, " well articulated and not local or pretending to be of Abo. This is what we have in" Arigo, "one genre of traditional music in Uri Eke that often boasts of Abo influence.
Some popular practitioners of Arigo music in Uri include Abụbaugo and Ololoolo. These days, their Arigo belongs to" Egwu Tara Nchara" ( old music regarded as classic).
But this reflection is on love for "Arigo" in Uri Eke. It is possible that some musicians who play " Arigo" in Uri have learned the music in their sojourn at Abo. It is highly possible. They have returned with some Abo in their lives, Arigo being one of them.
"Arigo" is partly narrative in outlook, for a story may be told, but towards the end, there is a crescendo that requires vigorous dancing. The beats get stronger and the lyrics get complex, sometimes ladden with proverbs and other wise sayings.
The emergence of "Arigo" as the most popular music in Uri is not surprising (such an influence can also be noticed in some neighboring communities like Ihiala, Awo Idemili, Ọsụihite Ụkwa, etc) and have featured great singers like the late Show Promoter. Uri is historically warlike and such music is just a means through which warriors, in dancing to it, can show their frightening and aggressive nature. Also, "Arigo" dance patterns and gesticulation are suitable for demonstrations of life. So, if "Arigo" is popular in Uri, it is partly because of Abo and because of the realities in Uri Eke.
The way that young people these days fall in love with hip-hop and ogene is the same way that "Arigo" touched the lives of young people in the past. Just as "ogene" is taking over nowadays as a major traditional music in Igboland, "Arigo" also stirred the hearts of young men.
Perhaps related to "Arigo" is "Mbele," which is often satirical and goes with some clapping. Popular with performers like Ayaaya of Amaofuo (which was formerly part of Uri), "Mbele" was reformative and corrective. No one would not like to fall victim to "Irọ Egwu" (Being used in composing a song) for an "Mbele" performance. It could be a terrible thing to live with a satirical song and to live as a satirical song. "Mbele" was such a terrible memorial. Imagine, living in a bad song!
While "Mbele" could even be performed by women and children and featured prominently at "Egwu ọnwa" (moonlight play), "Arigo" stayed as serious performance for funerals, festivals, meetings, etc.
"Arigo," still performed today, is an all-male affair. Women can join in the dance but are not normally in the ensemble. No reason is given for this. It may be one aspect of culture where masculinity wants to narrate itself as rugged and special.
One could say that three areas that stand out in "Arigo": there is the instrumentation and there is the peculiar dance style that involves very energetic movement. But, above all, well-practised singing. The singer must be someone who follows the rhythm very well, understanding what it is saying, and who knows when to inject what to create animation in beat and dance. In other words, the dancer follows the singer who also follows the beat of the instruments.
"Arigo" creates a very lively moment when it comes on in any musical arrangement, making many want to dance or respond to the lively sound. One is likely to hear something like "Egwu na-efu"(Music is wasting) or "Egwu abịa" (Music has come). You would query : "Was music not being played before? " But obviously, the idea is that the popular or preferred type of music has arrived. That speaks for itself, especially when monetary gifts are lavished on celebrated dancers.
Of course, the very context one can get that exclamation of" Egwu na-efu" is not just where an "Arigo" track is being played but where there are many in the audience who understand what the music stands for. Where else could one find this but in "Ala Uri Eke" (Uri Eke land)? It would look as if one is merely using "Arigo" to celebrate Uri Eke. But one is only filled with nostalgia, merely using CDs hurriedly purchased at bus stations to try to console oneself concerning what one has been missing by living away from home.
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