*Ekpo, Mmuo, Omabe, Ori-okpa, Akatakpa, Mmowu;
The Santa-Claus of the Igbo people
Celebrated on our decorated festivity
Is today regarded a pig’s dynasty.

Those mass rituals
Aren’t my people’s rituals
And the modern day chariots
Are found wandering the streets like harlots.

We saw the gods dictate our journey,
The *dibia release healing herbs without money
And the *Ezemmuo singing incantations
Loud and loud our homestead without limitations.

We hear the moon
Recount our step so soon
Our ancestors are revealed,
Many men on masks unveiled
To dance under the shy moon.

Let our women and children hide for mmuo is out,
Let the yams be harvested in our presence
For the leaves are green and startle about,
Africa is enriched with natures essence.

When we hear the drums speaking loud,
The gongs vibrating the cloud
And the *Onye-oja teasing our serene being to the spotlight,
Mmuo is here accompained by the full moonlight.

Africa is rich, with culture and nature’s endowments,
A home where children play
And gather to hear what the moon says,
Africa, warriors home of merriment.

Our trees are oil; same trees are palmwine,
Our lands are oil; same lands are golds that shine,
Welcome to Africa, home where the beautiful sun smiles without disdain,
Where clouds part ways for *Amadioha to pour his rain.

And here they are the Santa Claus of our land,
Dancing to the rhythm of the drums, flutist, ekwe, the gong
Slow… slow.
Let *Ndi Eze praise his people for the loyalty they show,
Let our culture yield more progress and stand.

The modernities have not ended corruption and bribe,
And the world is sheltered by one firmament.
I am Igbo; a unique tribe,
I am African; a unique continent.

We are one world
Made by one God
We are one word
Said by one God

Peace and love.

 

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*Ekpo, Mmuo, Omabe, Ori-okpa, Akatakpa Mmowu – Igbo terms for masquerade

Dibia – herbalist or a herbal doctor

Ezemmuo – chief priest of the Igbo people

Ony-oja – the flutist

Amadioha – ancient god of the Igbo land

Ndi eze – kings of the Igbo – although it is believed the Igbo had no king but a cabinet made up of rulers.

 

 

 

 

 

Photo by Ben Iwara on Unsplash