I still do not understand most of the exact words being said in The Ohafia War Dance, but I can still translate it into English.
This seeming paradox highlights several of the key aspects of the igbo language, igbo music, and igbo culture in general. Firstly, the igbo language is not simply spoken, it is also act out and felt; the way somebody says a word and moves their body while saying the word is just as important for communicating meaning as the particular word used itself. Secondly, igbo music is spontaneous. It is not like modern western music in which one set of words and instrumentals are memorized and repeated for each performance; each performance is unique and done based upon the natural feeling that arises within the musicians. Therefore, in order to understand the Ohafia War Dance, it is most important for one to understand what is generally talked about and done rather than the precise words being spoken in any individual version of the song.
The song begins with a greeting. Elders, dignitaries, and communities are acknowledged and told to “will it!” (Kwenu!). Then repetitive percussion music and flute music begin to play. This is meant to stimulate the ikenga. The men dancing to the song then begin to move their legs and shoulders to each side, while also swaying to each side. Their arms and legs in particular make circles after the dancer has gone to the farthest point to the side, before the dancer then moves back to the center. This motion resembles the movement of a bird on the ground. The man who is singing then names various great heroes and warriors of the past, lists their “nicknames”, their attributes, and their accomplishments. He may also do the same with living elders. He may also extol his own virtues and those of his peers who are either about to or have come back from battle. The singer might additionally also do the same for agbara who are associated with combat. Perhaps most importantly, the singer gives a history of the battles and conquests of his community. The band of performers will often move throughout the village while doing all this.
The music usually gets progressively faster and faster, and louder and louder, until it reaches a climax. During this climax, the performers as well as the listeners are at their most ecstatic. At this point, the singer will likely say what they believe to be most important and/or the source of most pride. This can be heard in this version of the song recorded by the people of Akanu, Ohafia: https://youtu.be/tf-0UQDhXFs
Overall, the purpose of the Ohafia War Dance is to tell history of war, confer pride in the past of one’s people and ancestors in the arena of war, stimulate the ikenga, and give warriors pride and confidence.
Ntughari Ikpirikpi Ogu Ohafia, Mnwale Otu:
I still do not understand most of the exact words being said in The Ohafia War Dance, but I can still translate it into English.
This seeming paradox highlights several of the key aspects of the igbo language, igbo music, and igbo culture in general. Firstly, the igbo language is not simply spoken, it is also act out and felt; the way somebody says a word and moves their body while saying the word is just as important for communicating meaning as the particular word used itself. Secondly, igbo music is spontaneous. It is not like modern western music in which one set of words and instrumentals are memorized and repeated for each performance; each performance is unique and done based upon the natural feeling that arises within the musicians. Therefore, in order to understand the Ohafia War Dance, it is most important for one to understand what is generally talked about and done rather than the precise words being spoken in any individual version of the song.
The song begins with a greeting. Elders, dignitaries, and communities are acknowledged and told to “will it!” (Kwenu!). Then repetitive percussion music and flute music begin to play. This is meant to stimulate the ikenga. The men dancing to the song then begin to move their legs and shoulders to each side, while also swaying to each side. Their arms and legs in particular make circles after the dancer has gone to the farthest point to the side, before the dancer then moves back to the center. This motion resembles the movement of a bird on the ground. The man who is singing then names various great heroes and warriors of the past, lists their “nicknames”, their attributes, and their accomplishments. He may also do the same with living elders. He may also extol his own virtues and those of his peers who are either about to or have come back from battle. The singer might additionally also do the same for agbara who are associated with combat. Perhaps most importantly, the singer gives a history of the battles and conquests of his community. The band of performers will often move throughout the village while doing all this.
The music usually gets progressively faster and faster, and louder and louder, until it reaches a climax. During this climax, the performers as well as the listeners are at their most ecstatic. At this point, the singer will likely say what they believe to be most important and/or the source of most pride. This can be heard in this version of the song recorded by the people of Akanu, Ohafia: https://youtu.be/tf-0UQDhXFs
Overall, the purpose of the Ohafia War Dance is to tell history of war, confer pride in the past of one’s people and ancestors in the arena of war, stimulate the ikenga, and give warriors pride and confidence.