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63 

 

ADAPTATION OF THE EGWU OGENE IN A DIGITAL WORLD: 

A STUDY OF EJYK NWAMBA 
 

Mr.Chiedozie Kenechukwu Onuora-Oguno 

E-mail: onuoraogunochiedozie@gmail.com 

& 

Professor Eunice Ukamaka Ibekwe 

Department of Music, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State 

E-mail: eu.ibekwe@unizik.edu.ng 

 

Abstract 

This paper explores the transformation of the Ogene, a traditional Igbo melo-rhythmic 

instrument within the digital landscape. Ejyk Nwamba, renowned as an Ogene master, 

provides a unique perspective on this evolution. The Ogene, classified as an idiophone, 

holds deep cultural roots and serves both musical and non-musical functions within Igbo 

society. However, in the digital era, cultural music faces challenges of commercialization, 

visibility, and authenticity. Globalization has changed the dynamics of traditional music, 

altering performance, social context, and audience. Digitalization has digitized 

traditional music, offering a global reach but also a commercial focus, potentially 

compromising authenticity. This study examines how the Ogene music has adapted to the 

digital world, exploring its cultural, social, and economic evolution. It raises questions 

about cultural identity and authenticity in a digital society and seeks to provide 

recommendations to preserve the cultural integrity of traditional music. Ejyk Nwamba's 

journey as an Ogene musician offers insights into these transformations. 

Recommendations for preserving cultural music in the digital age include education, 

marketing and promotion, and the establishment of digital archives. These efforts aim 

to ensure that cultural music remains authentic and thrives in a digital economy. 

 

Introduction 

The ogene instrument is a melo-rhythmic instrument of the Igbo people in Nigeria. From 

the classification of instruments postulated by Sachs and Hornbustel, (1940), the ogene 

instrument can be classified as an idiophone. Ibagere (1994 p.91) defined idiophones as 

a group of self-sounding instruments which produce sound when they are struck, 

scratched or shaken. 

  

To give it a historical background, it is widely believed that the Ogene is forged by 

indigenous blacksmiths of the present-day Awka, Anambra state, as the Ogene is purely 

made from iron. The instrument is relatively shaped like a cone and is hollow inside (Nnam, 

2021). The ogene is played by striking it with a stick and while it is a rhythmic instrument, 

it produces melody. Nzewi (2000) in Nnam (2021), explained it in this manner; 

 

The ogene, perhaps, is the most important metal instrument of the Igbo people and it 

has a lot of cultural attachments. The roles it plays in the societal delegations of the 

mailto:onuoraogunochiedozie@gmail.com
mailto:eu.ibekwe@unizik.edu.ng


 

 
  

Awka Journal of Research in Music and the Arts (AJRMA) Vol. 16, September 2023 

64 

Igbo people are grouped into two; (1) the musical functions and (2) the non-musical 

functions.  

 

In the non-musical functions of the Ogene, it is explored in these ways; 

1. Spreading of Information: From literary accounts of the traditional Igbo society, the 

Ogene is the tool of the town crier. Coupled with the town crier's voice and his feet, 

information is disseminated across the village and the community where he resides.  

2. Divination: Nnam (2021), states that;  

 

The native doctors or chief priests use the Ogene as a communicating tool to call the 

spirit of the gods and these instruments are attached to the staff of the chief priest 

when they hit it on the ground for it to stand if the gods are present in the area. (p.201) 

 

The esoteric nature of these sounds have been left to only be understood by the diviners 

and  Dibias who use them.  

 

Egwu Ogene 

The role of the Ogene musically, is widely known across the Igbo community. As an 

original genre of the Igbo culture, it is known for its captivating rhythms, percussive 

beats and a unique instrumental ensemble. 

Warner (2020), described Egwu Ogene in this manner: 

Ogene, what a sound! Ogene music is a dynamic performative ensemble 

form distinctive to the Igbo people, language and cultural practices of 

today's south-east Nigeria. Named for the Ogene bell, one of the central 

instruments to the form, ogene music encompasses rich call and response 

songs of marriage, praise, police and military encounters, moral and 

political situations, birthday celebrations, dedications and funerals, 

proclamation poetry and more.  

 

There are different sizes and pitches of the Ogene as earlier stated and this provides 

for a variety of sounds in the music. The music is characterized by complex and 

polyrhythmic patterns. In an instrumental ensemble, multiple Ogene bells can be played 

together, creating intricate interlocking rhythms and this rhythmic complexity is a 

distinct feature of the Egwu Ogene. 

 

Egwu Ogene is mostly played in ceremonial festivities and social gatherings. The Egwu 

Ogene performance is characterized as high-energy, lively and engaging. The is 

represented in the Ilu Igbo that says 'Ejiro Ogene edu onye ujo' which literally 

translates to 'the Ogene is not used to accompany a coward'  

 

Ogene music, with its vibrant character, evokes feelings of bravery and jubilation. 

(Nzewi, 2000). He went further to describe the performance in this way; 

Although the music is of primarily contemplative conception, its effect compels action, 

which can be expressed in bold dances gestures by the performers as well as the 

stimulated listeners. (p.26) 



 

 
  

Awka Journal of Research in Music and the Arts (AJRMA) Vol. 16, September 2023 

65 

 

The ideal ensemble setup of Egwu Ogene comprises the ogene bells, the ichaka (rattle), 

okpokoro (woodblock) and the Oja. This ensemble is not rigid and is subject to addition 

of more instruments or subtraction. 

 

While this genre of Igbo music has deep historical roots, Egwu Ogene has evolved over 

time. The impact of globalization, specifically westernization, is evident in the 

Performance of the music as contemporary Ogene musicians have incorporated modern 

instruments and recording techniques into Egwu Ogene blending tradition with the 

innovations of the modern world. 

 

Non-musical functions encompass its role in information dissemination and divination. The 

Ogene's esoteric sounds are central to rituals performed by diviners and Dibias. 

Musically, Egwu Ogene, characterized by captivating rhythms and complex polyrhythmic 

patterns, is played in ceremonial festivities and social gatherings, evoking feelings of 

bravery and jubilation. 

 

 

conjoined Ogene Bells. 

 

 

Background of The Study  

The nature of the Egwu Ogene serves its cultural purpose diligently. The instrument 

however has remained the way it is all through its history and some will agree that the 

way it is and the roles it plays are not subject to change. The effects of globalization 

have changed this narrative through the way the systems of living for most cultures have 

evolved in different ways. So there is technically an update on the cultural values of 

these instruments. For one, the fact that the society we are currently living in now is 

considered a digital society and these traditional instruments have now encountered 

other forms of use, whether it is in the choices of songs during performances or in the 

way they are broadcasted through the world. Changes in musical cultures are complicated 

because they involve changes in the performance, social context, audience and the overall 

nature of the music. 

 

Statement of Problem 



 

 
  

Awka Journal of Research in Music and the Arts (AJRMA) Vol. 16, September 2023 

66 

The existing problem subjective to this study is that the Ogene music and cultural music 

generally have not identified the exact means in which to fully integrate itself into a 

rapidly changing world which is mostly digital. It also identifies with the challenge of the 

Egwu Ogene remaining authentic in this new world.  

 

Purpose of Study  

The purpose of this study is to understand how the Ogene as a cultural instrument has 

fitted into this digital world and how it has evolved culturally, socially and economically. 

By understanding the roles it plays, the study now seeks to postulate recommendations 

and in turn provide the ground for thought on the subject. For example, in this digital 

world, has the Ogene lost its identity and cultural authenticity?  

 

Research Questions  

1. How has the Ogene evolved culturally, socially and economically? 

2. What are the key elements and characteristics of Ogene and its music? 

3. How has Ejyk Nwamba’s music contributed to its globalization? 

 

Research Objectives 

1. To know the cultural significance of the Ogene within the Igbo community. 

2. To know the factors that have contributed to the digitalization of the Ogene with 

a focus on Ejyk Nwamba’s career. 

3. To propose recommendations on the integration and promotion of Ogene as a 

cultural asset, into the Digital economy. 

 

DIGITALIZATION 

Digitalization is the use of digital technologies to change  business models and provide 

new revenue and value-producing opportunities. (Gartner,  2023). In the 21st century, 

digitalization has become a transformative force, changing the nature of industries, 

economies and society. This involves the process of digitization and has been driven by 

the advancement of technology.   

 

The potential for a digital world is vast. As shown by Parviainen, Tihhinen, Kaariainen and 

Teppola (2017), by digitizing information-intensive processes, costs can be cut by up to 

90 percent and turnaround times improved by several orders of magnitude. Going 

further, Parviainen et al (2017) added that replacing paper and manual processes with 

software allows businesses to automatically collect data that can be mined to better 

understand process performance, cost drivers, and causes of risk.   

 

Streamlining it to music entails the conversion of traditional analog music formats into 

digital ones and therefore changing the way music is being created, distributed and 

experienced. Digital recording technology has made it easier for artists to capture and 

manipulate sound with precision without necessarily learning how to play and perform 

music formally. Digital audio workstations (DAW) and virtual musical instruments have 

created a world where musicians can exploit these sounds to create music in a digital 

realm.  



 

 
  

Awka Journal of Research in Music and the Arts (AJRMA) Vol. 16, September 2023 

67 

 

On first glance, a digital economy seems ideal but like man-made inventions, poses some 

concerns. In a digital economy, music can be shared to digital platforms and made 

available for streaming and public consumption but while this offers a global reach for 

music, cultural music may struggle to gain visibility amongst mainstream commercial 

content. Ferguson (1992:73), opined that globalization conflates the normative and 

descriptive, and consequently carries ideological as well as temporal, spatial, historical 

and geopolitical implications.  

 

This means that there is a commercial focus on music and cultural music may be forced 

to shed some values so as to conform to commercial and socio-economic standards of the 

day. This invariably means that the music is bound to lose some authenticity.  

 

 
Ejyk Nwamba and his ‘Ogene Ndigbo’ crew.  

 

 

EJYK NWAMBA 

Ejike Benedict Obiano known globally as Ejyk Nwamba or Ogene master, is a Nigerian 

musician resident in Anambra state. One of the front men in Ogene music, which is of 

course popular in Eastern Nigeria, Ejyk Nwmba is considered as one of the best Ogene 

musicians in the Igbo land. 

Ejike hails from Nkanu East in Enugu state, South-East, Nigeria. He started his career 

in the church as a performer in the early 2000s and he of course, learnt how to play the 

Ogene by rote. He said this in an interview by Vanguard.  (2023); 

 

"Music began for me at a young age. I have always had passion for music and cultural 

beats. I learnt to play many cultural instruments myself. I learnt from watching other 

people play."  

He has his own Ogene troupe which he refers to as ‘Ogene Ndigbo’. Warner (2020) said 

this about the musician; 

 

One of the hardest working ogene crews I’ve come across in my online wanderings is 

“Ogene Ndigbo by Ejyk Nwamba” who, as they proclaim, aim to bring Ogene to the World. 

Always filmed outdoors, with no electronic amplification and in a single uncut shot, each 

video blasts along for 15 minutes or more with the group occupying and enlivening urban 

street, farm track, parking lot, hilltop, bamboo grove, mine spoil mountain and big-house 



 

 
  

Awka Journal of Research in Music and the Arts (AJRMA) Vol. 16, September 2023 

68 

courtyard. They offer birthday wishes, praise to important people, and dedications to 

car makers or a local Malaysian mini-mart with equal ebullient energy and flair. 

He went further to add;  

They’re not only masterful exponents of the tightly knit music, song and 

dance skills of their Igbo cultural form but have mastered the art of 

performing to the unseen worldwide audience behind and beyond the video 

cameras to which they passionately gift their remarkable music and proud 

culture. We should all be thankful. (Retrieved 1:00am, 2023-09-23) 

This was exactly how Ejyk Nwamba came into mainstream media. In addition to that, he 

recorded covers of songs that were popular already in the global world and on digital 

platforms.  

 

Ejike in an interview with Guardian news (2023) said this; 

"The challenges I faced at the beginning of my music career was getting 

people to accept my genre of music. When I started out, my genre wasn't 

widely recognized and accepted. Artists before me were always seen as 

local and not given their due respect. I thank God that has changed" 

 

While this is a concern for most traditional musicians, the existence of social media was 

key to Ejyk Nwamba’s success. The Ogene musician put up videos of his performances on 

his social media pages and then in 2020, he released his debut EP Aja Welewele, which 

became an anthem in the eastern part of Nigeria and catapulted him to limelight. 

(Tribune, 2023).  

 

Since then (2020), He has collaborated on songs with mainstream musicians like Kolaboy 

and Zoro. He has also featured on a comedy skit for the popular comedian, Chukwuemeka 

Emmanuel, popularly known as Brainjotter. The video skit has up nine hundred thousand 

and six views on Youtube (retrieved 3:00am, 2023–09-26)  

Here is an analysis of his most popular songs across three mainstream digital platforms. 

retrieved from YouTube, YouTube music and Spotify, 2023-09-26. (3:50 am) 

 

 

Name of Song.         Youtube.                 Youtube Music.       Spotify 

Ubor featuring 

Zoro 

128,000 225,000 150,428 

Gbawalum Oji  179,000 269,000 22,500 

Kawaii 147,000 346,000 119,685 

Ogene Cultural 

Praise 

202,000 765,000 90,980 

 

Across these three digital platforms, Ejyk Nwamba’s music is averaging over 500, 000 

plays.  



 

 
  

Awka Journal of Research in Music and the Arts (AJRMA) Vol. 16, September 2023 

69 

Ejyk Nwamba currently has 98,007 subscribers on Youtube (retrieved 6:39 am, 2023-

09-25), 110,000 followers on Instagram (retrieved 6:40 am, 2023-09-25) and 371,000 

followers on Facebook (retrieved 7:01 am, 2023-09-25).  

 

Conclusion/Recommendations  

This study underscores the importance of observing and assessing the ways in which 

cultural music can continue to resonate authentically in a rapidly changing digital world. 

Ogene music, thriving in a digital world, requires a number of approaches that combine 

technology and cultural awareness. Here are some important ways to solves these issues; 

 

1. Education: Promotion of Egwu Ogene within communities to ensure that younger 

generations learn about the authentic nature of the music is important. This can include 

detailed music education programs on Igbo-African music and community workshops that 

integrate culture into the Igbo-African child. Educating the younger generations on how 

to integrate their culture into the digital world is also important.  

 

2. Marketing and Promotion: Strategies should be developed to promote Egwu Ogene 

musicians on digital platforms. This includes making use of social media, streaming 

services and online forums to reach a more global audience. 

 

3. Digital Archives: Establishment of digital archives dedicated to preserving Ogene 

music, and Igbo cultural music is important. These archives can be used as valuable 

resources for research, education and cultural preservation.  

 

More can still be done and it is the responsibility of researchers, scholars and the 

government agencies put in place for cultural affairs to critically observe and assess the 

ways cultural music can remain authentic and thrive in a digital economy. The focus of 

this seminar is Ejyk Nwamba who is an Ogene musician but of course, there are more 

profound cultural art and music imbued with its own philosophies and are being taken out 

of context in this digital world. The recommendations of this study also apply to them.  

 

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Ferguson, M. (1992). The Mythology about Globalization. European Journal of 

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