Nigeria has a population of 152,217,341, which makes it the most populous country in Africa (Department of State). Nigeria consists of 250 ethnic groups, and the three major ethnic groups are the Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo ethnic group (CIA). The most populous ethnic group is the Hausa-Fulani. Most of the Nigerian ethnic groups have contributed to the “World of Music”. For example, the Efik and the Ibibio people contributed to the Calypso music of Trinidad and Tobago (Alfred). The Yoruba people contributed to a lot of the Southern American music, some of the instruments played culturally in Brazil, Haiti and many other southern American countries originated from the Yoruba land. Examples of such instruments are the “Shekere” and the “Agogo”.
There are many genres of music in Nigeria, but I will be talking about one, the Juju music, which is from the Yoruba land. The Juju music is a Nigerian genre. The word “Juju” means two things, in Yoruba (Nigerian Language) the word “Juju” means witchcraft and it also means to throw. There is no history about how this name was coined. This genre is popular amongst Nigerians and is also popular in the “World of Music” (Music culture). There is also no definite history of how the Juju music came to be. The first Juju music was recording in the 1920’s by one of its pioneers name Tunde King (Tosin Aribisala).
Juju music originated from the Western part of Nigeria (Yoruba land) which includes these states, Oyo, Ogun, Lagos and Osun. The Juju music is prominently percussion music, and the instruments used are, the talking drum, shekere, woodblocks and the agogo. The instrument that is mostly used in this music is the talking drum. The instrument that is rarely used is the electric guitar. The electric guitar was introduced to this genre of music after the Second World.
The talking drum is made up of different components namely, the rim, the drum head, the tension strings, the drum shell and the beater. The talking drum is a membranophone and the drum head is made from goat skin. There are different types of talking drums namely, Iya-ilu (the mother drum), Omele (baby of the house) and Adamo (lead drum) (Ayanlenre Adamu Alajede). The Iya-ilu is “the mother drum” and produces the deepest sound compared to the talking drums. The iya-ilu is used to hold the rhythmic structure of the groove and it is sometimes used for soloing. The omele is the “baby of the house” because it has a very high pitched sound. It is also the smallest in size. The other talking is the Adamo, the Adamo has the same function has the iya-ilu, but it does not produce a very deep sound (Ayanlenre Adamu Alajede).
The talking drummers are griots. And they make their money off of their patrons. The “wealthiness” of talking drummer depends on the “wealthiness” of his patron or employer. Most talking drummers are male this is because the talking drum is seen as a masculine instrument.
The Juju music is played at wedding ceremonies, naming ceremonies, birthdays, temples (churches) and social gatherings. The context of Juju music has to do with life, wealth, enjoyment, “feferiti”.
Some of the well-known artists of Juju music are Tunde King, King Sunny Ade, Admiral Dele Abiodun, Prince Segun Adewale, Sir Shina Adewale, General Prince Adekunle and Prince Emmanuel Abiodun. The titles attached to their names are their nicknames and it shows that they are masters of their work (Tosin Aribisala).
There are many genres of music in Nigeria, but I will be talking about one, the Juju music, which is from the Yoruba land. The Juju music is a Nigerian genre. The word “Juju” means two things, in Yoruba (Nigerian Language) the word “Juju” means witchcraft and it also means to throw. There is no history about how this name was coined. This genre is popular amongst Nigerians and is also popular in the “World of Music” (Music culture). There is also no definite history of how the Juju music came to be. The first Juju music was recording in the 1920’s by one of its pioneers name Tunde King (Tosin Aribisala).
Juju music originated from the Western part of Nigeria (Yoruba land) which includes these states, Oyo, Ogun, Lagos and Osun. The Juju music is prominently percussion music, and the instruments used are, the talking drum, shekere, woodblocks and the agogo. The instrument that is mostly used in this music is the talking drum. The instrument that is rarely used is the electric guitar. The electric guitar was introduced to this genre of music after the Second World.
The talking drum is made up of different components namely, the rim, the drum head, the tension strings, the drum shell and the beater. The talking drum is a membranophone and the drum head is made from goat skin. There are different types of talking drums namely, Iya-ilu (the mother drum), Omele (baby of the house) and Adamo (lead drum) (Ayanlenre Adamu Alajede). The Iya-ilu is “the mother drum” and produces the deepest sound compared to the talking drums. The iya-ilu is used to hold the rhythmic structure of the groove and it is sometimes used for soloing. The omele is the “baby of the house” because it has a very high pitched sound. It is also the smallest in size. The other talking is the Adamo, the Adamo has the same function has the iya-ilu, but it does not produce a very deep sound (Ayanlenre Adamu Alajede).
The talking drummers are griots. And they make their money off of their patrons. The “wealthiness” of talking drummer depends on the “wealthiness” of his patron or employer. Most talking drummers are male this is because the talking drum is seen as a masculine instrument.
The Juju music is played at wedding ceremonies, naming ceremonies, birthdays, temples (churches) and social gatherings. The context of Juju music has to do with life, wealth, enjoyment, “feferiti”.
Some of the well-known artists of Juju music are Tunde King, King Sunny Ade, Admiral Dele Abiodun, Prince Segun Adewale, Sir Shina Adewale, General Prince Adekunle and Prince Emmanuel Abiodun. The titles attached to their names are their nicknames and it shows that they are masters of their work (Tosin Aribisala).
Because I spent most of my childhood years in Nigeria, I knew most of the juju artist. The artist that continues to ring in my ear drum is King Sunny Ade. King Sunny Ade was the most famous Juju artist. He refers to himself as the king of music. King Sunny Ade is an amazing guitar player. As a matter of fact when I interviewed my parents about the King Sunny Ade, they told me he was a fantastic player and that he would always dance while playing the electric guitar.
Juju artists such as King Sunny Ade, Shina Peters and Chief Ebenezar Obey and many more modernized juju and even gave their styles different names. For Example Chief Ebenezar calls his style of juju “the miliki system” (Ebenezar).
Just like any other music the Juju music has its own aesthetics. Juju music is played in fast tempo. Good juju music makes its audience dance. When dancing to the music, money is usually sprayed on the either the performing artist or dancers.
Work Cited
Hill, Donald R. Calypso Calaloo: Early Carnival Music in Trinidad. 2nd. Florida: University Press of Florida, 1993. Print.
How to Play a Simple Rhythm on the Talking Drum. Alajede Ayanlenre. 6:24, Youtube, 2010.
Juju Music – Performance Documentary Trailer. Jhfiic. 4:16, Youtube, 2010.
Tosin, Aribisala. Personal Interview. 30 November, 2010.
Yemi, Ademola. Personal Interview. 29 November, 2010.
Impressive! You really did your research.
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