The Oriental Brothers International Band, otherwise known as the Oriental Brothers, is a legendary highlife band from Eastern Nigeria. They began in the early 1970s, shortly after the Nigerian-Biafran War. The band epitomized Igbo culture’s resilience and pride. The band was made up of Sir Warrior (Christogonus Ezebuiro Obinna), Dan Sack Opara, Nathaniel Ejiogu, Godwin Kabaka Opara, and Prince Ichita. The genre of their music was deeply Igbo highlife, mixing Igbo tunes with jazz and swing. The music reflected Igbo worldview, struggles, hopes, and aspirations. Their music portrayed Igbo life situation after the civil war.
Igbo “Ajambene” (a chorus always associated with the tortoise), which is a strand of Musesophy can be derived from all the Oriental Brothers songs. Iheọma adịghị onye ọsọ epitomizes Igbo understanding of the world, the value of goodness, the opportunities of life, the reality of destiny, and the need for God and prayers.
Iheọma adịghị onye ọsọ – Igbo Lyrics
Ọma, ọma, onweghi iheọma n’elu ụwa onweghi onye iheọma sọọ.
Iheọma leeyi, onwediri onye iheọma sọọ.
Iheọma leeyi Chim oo, onwediri onye iheọma sọọ.
Iheọma, Iheọma, Iheọma, Iheọma,
Iheọma, Iheọma, Iheọma!
N’elu ụwa leeyi, onweghi onye iheọma sọọ nsọ.
N’añụrị nwere nne, onwere onye iheọma sọọ nsọ.
Ala Imo lee, okwu dịrị k’onye kwụrụ ya.
Nwanne! Nwanne! K’anyị yọba Olisa Onyenweanyị.
K’anyị lee m’ọga ịzọ anyị azọ.
Chikwe mama, Chi anyị zọba anyị n’elu ụwa.
Ichọkwa ọlụ nwanne m, Chi zọba anyị oo!
Toyota Motor! Onwere onye ọsọ nsọ n’elu ụwa?
Mercedes Benz! Onwere onye ọsọ inwe?
Honda 175! Onwere onye ọsọ nsọ ee?
Bertha Mrs! Onwere onye ọsọ nsọ ee?
Na my dad bu eze! Onwere onye ọna asọ ee?
Asị na nwanne m abala! Onwere onye ọsọ nsọ n’elu ụwa?
Dan Sack!
Eehee!
Ole motocycle gi?
Leenu m, lee motorcycle!
Eeh! Lee gi, lee motocycle!
Leenu gi!
Iheọma, Iheọma, Iheọma, Iheọma,
Iheọma, Iheọma, Iheọma, Iheọma, Iheọma, Iheọma, Iheọma, Iheọma, Iheọma, Iheọma,
Iheọma, Iheọma, Iheọma, Iheọma!
To listen to the full music, please visit Iheoma adighi onye oso. This will take you to YouTube.
Summary of the above song in English language
Nobody refuses goodness.
Goodness is everywhere.
The need to pray to God to save us in this life.
If you have the opportunities or some toys, would you refuse them?
For example:
- Toyota car! Would you refuse it?
- Mercedes Benz! Would you refuse it?
- Honda 175! Would you refuse it?
- Wife of a rich man! Would you not like?
- That your dad is king! Would you not like it?
- If your brother has riches! Would you not like it?
- These are all goodness.
Let’s examine the meaning of the music from Igbo cultural perspectives.
The Universality of Goodness
The song begins with a universal assertion: “Nobody refuses goodness.” This statement sets the tone for the entire passage, suggesting that goodness is universally desired and accepted.
Ubiquity of Goodness
“Goodness is everywhere.” This line emphasizes the omnipresence of goodness, implying that it can be found in various aspects of life. It suggests that opportunities for goodness are abundant and accessible to everyone.
Spiritual Aspect
“The need to pray to God to save us in this life.” This introduces a spiritual dimension, highlighting the importance of divine intervention and prayer in seeking goodness. It suggests that while goodness is everywhere, seeking God’s help is essential for navigating life’s challenges and securing goodness.
Material Examples of Goodness
The song then provides specific examples of what constitutes goodness in a material sense:
- “Toyota car! Would you refuse it?”
- “Mercedes Benz! Would you refuse it?”
- “Honda 175! Would you refuse it?”
These examples illustrate that material possessions, such as cars, are often seen as symbols of goodness and success. The rhetorical questions imply that these items are desirable and that most people would not refuse them.
Social and Familial Examples of Goodness
The narrative continues with examples related to social status and familial relationships:
- “Wife of a rich man! Would you not like it?”
- “That your dad is king! Would you not like it?”
- “If your brother has riches! Would you not like it?”
These examples highlight the social and familial aspects of goodness. They suggest that being associated with wealth and status, either through marriage or family, is also considered a form of goodness that people would desire.
Moral Teaching of the Song
Universal Appeal: The song effectively conveys that goodness, in its many forms, is universally appealing and desired. It uses rhetorical questions to engage the reader and make them reflect on their own desires and values.
Material vs. Spiritual: The song balances material examples of goodness with a spiritual perspective, suggesting that both are important in life. It acknowledges the role of divine intervention while also recognizing the tangible benefits of material possessions and social status.
Cultural Context: The examples provided (cars, wealth, social status) reflect a specific cultural context where these items are highly valued. This context helps to ground the narrative in a relatable reality for the intended audience.
Implicit Values: The song implicitly promotes certain values, such as the pursuit of material success and the importance of social status. It also suggests that these forms of goodness are not only desirable but also attainable.
Conclusion
This song effectively communicates the idea that goodness is universally desired and can be found in various forms, both material and spiritual. It engages the reader through rhetorical questions and provides relatable examples that reflect cultural values and aspirations.