Okpan Arhibo: The Minstrel and His Ethno-Music Poetry

Abstract

This study examines Joseph Edjevwedje (Okpan Arhibo) as a legendary minstrel and how his ethno-musical performances promote the Urhobo people and their rich cultural heritage within Nigeria and in the Diaspora. It engages the unquantifiable quest of the ethno-musical poet towards the sustainable peace, unity and transformation of Urhobo society. This research is both field and library based with the oral texts (songs) carefully selected due to their thematic thrust and purpose of the study. The oral data are qualitatively analyzed with secondary materials sourced from the internet employed to substantiate discussions raised in this research. The song texts are transcribed and translated from Urhobo language to English for other researchers and readers to appreciate. The findings show that like most popular oral artists elsewhere across the world, Okpan Arhibo demonstrated creative ingenuity through the originality of his artistic works, skilful improvisation and mastery of ethnolinguistic and paralinguistic resources which endeared him to his teaming supporters and audience. Thematically, the ethnosong-poems of the performing artist convey love and unity, cultural integration, belief systems, reincarnation, development, peace and harmonious co-existence to audience. The study concludes that the commitment demonstrated by the iconic folk music artist towards promoting Urhobo culture and unity through song performances shall be sustained as successive generations would psychologically reflect on their central thematic preoccupations, rhythmical patterns and formal elements.