CHAPTER FORTY-THREE: TRADITIONAL SACRED MUSIC AND GENDER ISSUES: NMONWU MUSIC OF IHIALA AND EZINIFITE CULTURES IN ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

In most Igbo communities in southeastern Nigeria and beyond, women are not allowed to have the liberty of making some type of traditional music, especially that type of music that has some ritual/sacred implications. They may as a matter of chance or opportunity see or behold and could perhaps enjoy that music but will not be allowed to be members of such groups that perform that music. In Ihiala and Ezinifite towns, both in Anambra South Senatorial district of Anambra state, women are not allowed to perform traditional sacred music (Egwu nmonwu or Egwu muo). Therefore, it is uncalled for and believed or seen to be out of place to have women amidst those making the musical rituals of nmonwu. It is referred to as 'nso' (taboo), a practice that is unacceptable, sacrilegious in these communities. Nmonwu secret cult is, therefore, a masculine affair that excludes women from being performers and from the findings of this paper, there appears to be nothing that can be done about it as to accommodate the general women, only those aged women referred to as 'Mmarigo' whose age and experience have allowed to be initiated, who are the only females permitted to partake in the nmonwu rituals, and not the music-making.

Keywords: Nmonwu, adukwu, ogbodu, ekwuru nmonwu, women (mmarigo), nso, music.