Culture as Institution

Morak Oguntade and the Art of Everyday Expression

Morak Oguntade and the Art of Expression

Morak Oguntade and the Art of Everyday Expression

After reading Days of Destruction, Days of Revolt by Chris Hedges and Joe Sacco a few years back, the unusual happened. I developed a keen yearning to rediscover a dormant space in my mind for the appreciation of illustrated stories and cartoons. I remembered the political cartoons of Josey Ajiboye and Omoba (Dotun Gboyega) and the entertainment illustrations of Morak Oguntade and some others. The illustrations of these men were as political and useful as the illustrations of Joe Sacco, hence the yearnings. Josey Ajiboye was a pioneer and grandmaster in the print media industry. The depth and influence of the work of these illustrators are incalculable, as viewable in The Role of Editorial Cartoons in the Democratisation Process in Nigeria by Ganiyu Jimoh. (more…)

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Jazz Music & the Influence of Yoruba Culture
The Art Ensemble of Chicago_

Jazz Music & the Influence of Yoruba Culture

Jazz Music & the Influence of Yoruba Culture

There was a time in the ’60s and ’70s when several jazz musicians of repute had to visit Brazil for a new spark of inspiration. It was almost a “rite of passage” for many jazz musicians. Classics like ‘Song for My Father’ by Horace Silver; ‘Brazilian Love Affair’ by George Duke; ‘Jive Samba’ by Cannonball Adderley Sextet; ‘Sidewinder’ by Lee Morgan; ‘Big Band Bossa Nova’ by Quincy Jones were born of rips and sounds of trips to and sounds of Brazil. These are a few of the Jazz Giants that had made their most successful albums through the Brazilian inspiration. Grover Washington Jr, George Benson, Earl Klugh, Bob James, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Stan Getz, Kenny Dorham and many others also had big lifts in their music by way of the Brazilian inspiration. The most Yoruba-influenced jazz group is apparently the Art Ensemble of Chicago (see picture above).

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A Song for Reassurance: Okpan Arhibo Verses

A Song for Reassurance: Okpan Arhibo Verses

A Song for Reassurance: Okpan Arhibo Verses

Songs have often come to the rescue of a distressed, pained or broken soul. Songs shine lights in darkness, offer hope when it is so far away, provide relief to untiring palaver. However, here the song gives reassurance amidst estrangement and confusion. Empathy is often rewarded as such. (more…)

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Okpan Arhibo: A Traditional Kind of Disco Music

Okpan Arhibo: Traditional Disco Music

Okpan Arhibo: Traditional Disco Music

Cameroonian musician Manu Dibango invented disco music out of the blue with his release of the phenomenal hit single record, Soul Makossa. The year was 1972, and it was a staggering feat from an unknown personality. The listening public could hear the instant break beats and jazz funk influences in the song. And the western musical instruments; the saxophone, drums, percussions, guitars (bass, acoustic and lead), and the piano. Soul Makossa took disc jockeys, clubbers, and everyday radio listeners in large numbers. It soon became a big favourite within the New York music scene and later the globe.

The song’s core sensibility, as developed and perfected, came from somewhere; Africa. Around this time, other African musicians, Fela Kuti, Osibisa, Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, working within the same jazz funk paradigm, found instant fame and recognition as innovators on the world’s music scene. And Fela fashioned “Afrobeat” which soon became a distinct international music genre in its own right. (more…)

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A Death In A Dream

A Death In A Dream

A Death In A Dream

I had a dream last night that I had died while dreaming. My dream began by wooing me into a medium unlimited by the problems of physical travel to a place twice better than real life. The location, a well-lit cave. How far above or below sea level I could not tell. I was certain gravity, air pressure, and the fresh air were identical to what I had always known. Away from an opening cum door was a natural pool with a rim of smooth boulders of fifteen metres in diameter and white sandy ground twice that size surrounding it. (more…)

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Urhobo Blow (UB): A True Martial Art and Sport?

Urhobo Blow (UB): A True Martial Art?

Urhobo Blow (UB): A True Martial Art?

Urhobo Blow (UB), Ubi ejeh [service of punches] or Ohonre r’ubi [battle of punches], is a traditional martial art developed by the Urhobos for military action, but in recent times, it became a contest of strength by young males at annual or seasonal festivals. UB has its similarities with mainstream boxing, but the differences are steep. Many ethnic groups in Africa have their own boxing and wrestling arts. Still, the distinct feature of UB is that fighters place their knock-out punch hand on their backs just above the buttocks during fights. UB is over the years is becoming extinct due to lack of interest and exposure But it may make a big comeback as a mixed martial art of international status. UB was once a source of great community pride and made heroes. So, what makes UB worthy of attention? (more…)

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