Johnson Okunade Afro-Cultural Hub

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  • HAS ‘’THE HEADIES’’ AWARD LOST ITS CREDIBILITY AS NIGERIAN’S FINEST?

    HAS ‘’THE HEADIES’’ AWARD LOST ITS CREDIBILITY AS NIGERIAN’S FINEST?

    The Headies awards (formerly Hip Hop World Magazine) came into recognition in 2006. It is aimed at recognising outstanding achievement of legends, top artiste and young talent of the Nigerian music industry. As at 2006, there were few noticeable award shows in Nigeria. The Headies award has been a very attractive masterpiece loved by most artistes in the country. This award show has been controversially tagged as ‘’Nigeria Grammys’’ by few. Fans and Entertainment critiques have raised question on whether this award has reached the height of being likened to the biggest Music award show in the world which is the Grammy award.
    Few award shows are critically acclaimed, especially in Nigeria. Even the best of award shows do not please every viewer, artiste and media but it should focus at reducing public controversy especially after the award show so that it won’t generate bigger problems even in years to come. Over the years, fans have witnessed artiste rise to fame and earn this gold plated Plaque. Artistes like Mode 9, 2Baba, Psquare, Tiwa Savage, Olamide and many more have made tremendous History in The Headies. Over the years, we have seen artistes and fans treat the award show with much respect but recently, artiste don’t give much recognition to the Headies award again like in the previous years. The 2016 was a significant year for this award show; it marked her 10 years of her existence of showcasing Nigerian’s best. The 2016 edition aimed at bringing close Nigerian music Legends and Stars to perform on a single platform. The general public expected a unique award ceremony that would glue them to their seat but it ended up with series of complaint from the fans. Many blamed the Hip TV Crew for poor management; others blamed the Artiste for the low turn up and these are the major reasons for the limited success of the 10th edition. Other remote causes were nomination list, event clash, celebrity feud and a few more.

    The general public still wanted answers to the questions on why The Headies could not meet the hype in 2016. Fans complained about major artiste boycotting the award show due to their pride. I am not in the position to conclude for the invited artiste but with what I notice, the award show was scheduled wrongly. The award show was held on the 23rd of December, 2016 and some music concerts were held close to this time like the Olamide Olic3 and Artiste tour during the festive period of December.
    Naturally, big award shows around the world are not held during the December festive period. Some are held between the months of January-March like the Grammys, Oscars, Golden Globe and Africa’s football biggest award show, Glo CAF award. The summer(usually during the period of April, May, June till the end of September)ushers in important awards like the Billboards award, MTV Movie award , BET awards, VMA awards and also The Nigerian Entertainment awards are usually held in September. Moreover, the show was planned on a weekday which could be a bit challenging for fans especially the working class to attend. So many things went wrong even before the start of the main show. There was a delay before the broadcast, poor Light and sound. People started using Social media as an avenue to show their displeasure which I hope The Headies management will take into consideration and improve. We can probably blame it on the fact that the award show was done twice in a calendar years for the first time.

    Another issue brought up which gave a lot of controversy was the award nomination and winners. Issues on why Tekno should be nominated as a next rated artiste or Illbliss winning lyricist on the roll. There are few others but I am bringing out major examples to decipher what award nomination and wins can bring about. Over the years, some award categories have been controversial among fans and the media outlet. One would wonder that in the year 2000, Steeley Dan ‘’Two against Nature’’ bagged best album over Eminem’s ‘’Marshall Mathers LP’’ or when Macklemore bagged the best Hip Hop album award over Kendrick Lamar ‘’Good Kid, m.A.A.d city’’. There is countless controversial award nomination and win for decades but does not stop such award show from losing her credibility and respect. Some award categories are strictly for the fans to decide and most categories in the Headies are done this way. This method has its own default too because fans can vote based on sentiments, or engage in fraudulent voting.  More important categories like artiste of the year, Best rap album, Lyricist on the roll and a few more should not only be based on the voters’ discretion. There should be an elite committee with Nigerian music gurus who will apply serious scrutiny. Recently, The Headies tend to be inconsistent with their Calendar and it has raised questions on why a song like kiss Daniel ‘’Mama’’ is not nominated. They can also show their credibility by opening platform for other genre of music like the Fuji, Gospel and Juju. The award show claims to be Nigerians music finest and it should endeavour to recognise some other genre so that its relevance can be proved for many decades.

    By Ogunleye Oluwakorede
    About Me  
    Ogunleye Oluwakorede writes majorly on
    entertainment, history and socio-economic matters. He has previously released
    works like album reviews and content information. He is also a music critic and
    analyst particularly on Nigerian music entertainment.
    Contact Me
    Instagram: omo_baba_ogunleye
    Snapchat: horluwakorex
    Twitter: horluwakorex_

     

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  • 10 BIGGEST NIGERIAN SONGS IN 2017

    For this list, we will consider major airplay in Nigeria and around the world. Also consider award nomination and commercial success and most especially, if it has been critically acclaimed. 

    1. Come Closer(Wizkid ft Drake)-Come Closer made its debut release  on 31st of March, 2017 and has been a remarkable hit single that has been able to climb charts in Nigeria. A track filled with multiple genre of music like afro pop, dancehall, carribean melody. According to African fact zone, Come Closer went Gold in Canada and hit 50million views on youtube. The hit single has been widely impactful even outside the shores of Africa. Come Closer earned this A’ list artiste a soul train nomination and a win at the AFRIMA awards and went silver in United Kingdom. It is a track off ‘’Sound from the other side ‘’album.
    2. IF( Davido)-  DMW main man, Davido has been able to show how strong and independent he can be as an artiste on IF and his other smashing singles . Has it stands so far in 2017, IF stands as the music video with highest views in Nigeria with 54 million views this year. The production is a solid one that has been attributed to music his afro pop counterpart, Techno. Davido gave more dynamism by including local intonations like Lagbaja’s ‘’no do no do’’ and Tuface’s ‘’You know say nobody holy’’. IF has given the artiste the opportunity of bagging one of African’s finest award, AFRIMMA. IF earned greater respect when music icon,R Kelly made a cover for the song.
    3. WO(Olamide)- Few Critics have argued that 2017 has been the toughest year for  Olamide but the artiste has been able to do a special thing every year and that is the ability to release hit single every year and continue to stay relevant. One may agree that ‘’Wavy level’’ may not prove encouraging for a pop sound but WO has been able to hit minds of every individual and hit every street station. Rumoured ban from NBC has not been able to reduce the credibility and has still enjoyed radio airplay till now. This hit single and it has proven to be one of 2017 best street hop music.
    4. Fall(Davido)- No doubt that 2017 has been one of the best years for Davido. His consistency in 2017 has been on a great level. Kiddominant made a solid production and Daps was great with the directing. The idea clearly depicts the message of the artiste. Fall has been one of the critically acclaimed singe of the year. Some listeners tag the hit single as ‘’IF remix’’ but it has been able to make award nomination and has been able to make great impact in 2017.
    5. Juice(Ycee & Maleek Berry)-  Juice has been the most played song on Nigerian radio for 8 consecutive weeks. It was also the only song to move Davido’s ‘’IF’’ off the chart. It sat on iTunes chart replacing ‘’IF’’ and ‘’Come Closer’’ and it has also been one of the biggest single with the longest run on airplay in 2017. Juice is a track off the ‘’First wave EP’’. This track has not only improved Ycee ability as an artiste but has proven Maleek Berry to be one of the hottest artistes in 2017.
    6. Penalty( Small Doctor)-  He has been able to give a steady consistency to his street hop style right from ‘’mosquito killer’’.  He has earned domination radio play and major media outlet in the country. This song has further given him the opportunity to perform in music concerts. Every time this song is played; there is always a form of energy in the air. This song has not only been able to take wide attention from listeners but it has also been able to give an exact definition of what street hop music means. This growing style of sound majorly understands the minds of an average street listener.
    7. Iskaba(Wande Coal ft Dj Tunez)- After the release of the sophomore album, ‘’Wanted’’ in 2015,there has been follow up- singles that has been released by the afro pop icon but not as being massive as the song, Iskaba. This single did not only gain Wande Coal more attention this year but also did the same to Dj Tunez by earning Best African Dj USA in AFRIMMA.
    8. Joromi(Simi)- From being a newbie to be one of African best female artiste, Simi has continued to show her credibility. With her soft vocal tone, she has been able to show her musical strength. This single further gave the ‘’simisola’’ album strong anticipation. ‘’Joromi’’ climbed No.1 on Nigerian alternativemusic. The ‘’simisola’’ album has been able to reach the hype and has been one of 2017’s best album.
    9. Ponmile (Reminisce) –Every body of work delivered by Reminisce over the years have always been impressive. Most Reminisce fan has been attracted to his rap prowess with indigenous language. There has been no doubt that he has been one of Nigeian’s best indigenous Hip hop artistes. A soulful and subtle single like ‘’Ponmile’’ was probably not expected by the majority of music lovers and has gained the attention of more fans.
    10. Ma Lo(Tiwa Savage ft Wizkid)- Ma lo is track off ‘’Sugar Cane EP’’ and it has proven Tiwa Savage to be one of Nigerian’s finest female artiste. The influence of Wizkid on this track has paid off. Though released late in 2017, it has gained rapid attention from listeners immediately after release. Producer Spellz also is to be given credit on the remarkable production of the track. Ma lo top No.1 on apple music and itunes and the track has further proven the relevance of Tiwa Savage as a female artiste in 2017. She earned a nomination in MOBO 2017.

    Do you agree with the list? if it is an Hell No; you can comment in the section below

     

    By Ogunleye Oluwakorede
    About Me  
    Ogunleye Oluwakorede writes majorly on
    entertainment, history and socio-economic matters. He has previously released
    works like album reviews and content information. He is also a music critic and
    analyst particularly on Nigerian music entertainment.
    Contact Me
    Instagram: omo_baba_ogunleye
    Snapchat: horluwakorex
    Twitter: horluwakorex_
    Whatsapp: 08144651530

    The BEST way to support us is by providing funding to enable us continue this good work:

    Bank: Guarantee Trust Bank (GTBank)
    Account Name: Johnson Okunade
    Naira Account: 0802091793
    Dollar Account: 0802091803
    Pounds Account: 0802091810
    Euro Account: 0802091827

    Business Email — hello@johnsonokunade.com

  • NIGERIAN HIP HOP AND AFRO-POP

    It seems Nigerian music listeners and the media over the years have not been able to understand the clear distinction between the Hip hop and afro-pop genre. Basically, these two genres have different root and content. In order to understand the difference between these two genres, one has to be able to give its clear background, few Artistes and its content. The Afro pop is more of the Indigenous sound and it usually in simple and interesting beat in which most Africans can dance and relate with. One can’t really give the specific creator of Afro pop but this music has been sung and performed as far as the existence of African music and has turned into part of our culture. Some analysts believe that it evolved from Fela’s style of afro beat. For decades, it has been recognised as African Tradition music but top African Artiste looked for a better way of repackaging their sound and making it sound more understandable to the new Africa and even beyond the continent. The genre has evolved to an era where foreign languages are fused to African sound and beat. Drake and Wizkid has shown that in ‘’One dance’’ bringing in different sounds and making it a single product. It is so ironical how the African pop style has influenced genres like the Caribbean music in the years.
    Hip hop made its own root among Young Black American boys who were using it as a powerful medium of protest against some irresponsible act by the government particularly the Police. Hip hop has been so interesting especially among Black folks that more creative actions were introduced into it like Rap, Break dance, Graffiti, Djing percussion and few honourable mentions. The act of Emceeing (also rapping) requires use of rhyme, rhythm, figurative expression in accompaniment with the beat in African-American way. One cannot over emphasize the element of African sound in Hip hop. Later on in the 90’s, fans still wanted more from the Hip hop sound and we witnessed style like Gangster Rap with the likes of the Tupaq, Ice Cube, Eazy E; the Emo rap(based on emotion), Trap and many more. The bottom line to all these is that every region of the world has its own rap style and uniqueness. Take for example, the kind of United Kingdom Hip hop sound is more of the grime/dub style influenced by Jamaican migrant. If you listen to guys the likes of Stormzy, Skepta, Giggs; they are Hip hop Artiste but is more of the grime sound. 

    Basically, Nigerians don’t do the grime style at all but a recent Nigerian song that has the element of grime for better understanding is Dj consequence and Ycee ‘’In a Benz’’ single. Just in the case of Grime and Hip hop, the Afro popular has also adopted the Hip hop sound and generated itself into a world class music. Just like the slight overlap in RnB and Rap, there has also been the same situation in Afro pop and Hip hop. These two important sounds have different cultures and the difference which can be noticeable. While Hip hop deals with the cypher, the Breakdance, Graffiti; the Afro pop will deal with the indigenous dance, the drum beat and Cultural values in music videos sometimes. Even with all these, there has still been limited difference between these two genres in the ears of some Nigerian music lover. Over a decade, we have seen some Hip hop Artiste transcend into the Afro pop sound, making Hip hop sociable even for everyone on the Street and we have happily accepted such tracks like M.I’s ‘’Bullion Van’’, Olamide’s ‘’Durosoke’’,Phyno’s ‘’Abulo’’ and countless more.  In relation to what I stated at the early stage of the write-up that Hip hop, especially, Rap contains rhythm, rhyme, play of words, lyrical content and more importantly, a message. Hip hop does not give a precise format like if there should be a chorus or be a particular beat to follow, NO!!…..It specifically wants artiste to express their clear mind to listeners in words and the best way of doing that is by serving listeners with the style they want to listen to.

     

    Nigerian Hip hop became mainstream during the early 2000’s and was used to treat satirical issues during this period in the country with few honourable mentions like Mode 9, Ruggedman, Shasha, Terry tha Rapman. It was believed that anything hit track released by any secular artiste during that period is Hip hop; funny right? It is just like seeing 2004 2face’s ‘’Face 2 Face’’ album and calling it Hip hop album even though he applies some slight Hip hop elements in his work. It has become so evident that Hip hop and Afro pop are genres that work together in the Nigerian music industry but listeners need to learn best on how to decipher between the genres. Afro pop is a culture, Hip hop is another culture; two different sound mix to make a united sound even in African music.

    By Ogunleye Oluwakorede
    About Me  
    Ogunleye Oluwakorede writes majorly on entertainment, history and socio-economic matters. He has previously released works like album reviews and content information. He is also a music critic and analyst particularly on Nigerian music entertainment.
    Contact Me
    Instagram: omo_baba_ogunleye
    Snapchat: horluwakorex
    Twitter: horluwakorex_
    Whatsapp: 08144651530

    The BEST way to support us is by providing funding to enable us continue this good work:

    Bank: Guarantee Trust Bank (GTBank)
    Account Name: Johnson Okunade
    Naira Account: 0802091793
    Dollar Account: 0802091803
    Pounds Account: 0802091810
    Euro Account: 0802091827

    Business Email — hello@johnsonokunade.com

  • ALBUM REVIEW: WHAT HAPPENS IN LAGOS

                 Let me start by explaining a major thing about alternative sound in Nigeria. It is a style of music that is majorly sung by artists like Asa, Boj, Bez, Simi and few honourable mentions. It has gone mainstream in Nigeria but not gaining much recognition from listeners. This album has been convincingly able to fuse alternative sound with rap music to make a unique sound. What actually draws my attention particularly is the track structure and great story telling. One major fear I just have on this album is its commercial success.
    In terms of production, there has been this sort of great chemistry between Studio Magic and Ajebutter over the years. Studio Magic did the production of all the tracks except ‘’Rich friends’’ and ‘’Wayward’’. Few others added to the production of the album. Collaborating artiste such as Dremo, Falz, M.I, Maleek Berry and few other artists.
    Going deep into the album analysis; the artist creates a form of climax from being a newbie to a grown up; from being a hustler to a successful individual. The use of spoken words as a source of inspiration to listeners cannot be undermined. The tracks on the album clearly paint a clearer picture of the title. ‘’4am’’ with Dremo is definitely one of my favourite tracks. These artists went so real and every single line sounds so relatable because this is exactly what happens to every hardworker who seeks for a fruitful day.
    Ajebutter goes a bit angry on ‘’Dollar ti Won’’ and complains about the economic situation of the nation and how it Has affected those aspiring for greatness. In this same track, he complains and admonishes those affected by this situation.

     ‘’Rich friends’’, ‘’Bad gangs’’, ‘’We are bad boys’’, ‘’Waywards’’; these tracks focuses more on peer group influence. Ajebutter make these tracks more of the playful type but gives elements of truth. He does not give the good or bad side of some of peer group attitude but he clearly depicts activities they involve in.
    The 2nd half of the album shifts from his own views to things generally believed by some individuals in the society. ‘’Yoruba boys trilogy’’, ‘’Anything for the boys’’, ‘’Lifestyle’’ addresses issues concerning love affairs among youths and wrong conception of boys among girls.
    The last three tracks on the album is a height everyone wants to get to. A status where your hard work pays off and you are being called a ‘’Biggie man’’ and a ‘’Lagos big boy’’ with a ‘’Happy ending’’.

    By Ogunleye Oluwakorede
    About Me  
    Ogunleye Oluwakorede writes majorly on entertainment, history and socio-economic matters. He has previously released works like album reviews and content information. He is also a music critic and analyst particularly on Nigerian music entertainment.
    Contact Me
    Instagram: omo_baba_ogunleye
    Snapchat: horluwakorex
    Twitter: horluwakorex_
    Whatsapp: 08144651530

  • WHAT IS GOOD MUSIC?

                                                            

      I really don’t have a
    clear definition for what ‘’Good music’’ is precisely about because this strong
    tool can only be made clear to individual listeners. Everyone sees or feels
    music in different ways. I will point out few ideologies of ‘’Good music’’ and
    there will be some scrutiny on these ideologies.

    The question of ‘’what good
    music really is?’’ was asked by a friend of mine and it has drawn my attention
    to tackling this question. He saw ‘’Good music’’ as something with effective lyrical
    content. This is a good point of view but there have been songs that have used
    foul languages to give positive change. Let me break it down this way: Gangster
    Rap singles like in the late 90’s used obscure lyrics and bad video content to
    call for the attention of American government on the issue of racism and
    Anti-slavery. Merely using the name ‘’Gangster’’ can clearly address what I am
    driving at. It is widely believed that ‘’there is sense in nonsense’’. The
    nonsense of Rap music widely described by the majority of white in the 90’s has
    become a tool of revolution today. Even in African popular music, the legend,
    Fela Kuti does not actually possess much of poetic or literary application but
    he has been able to use inanimate substance to symbolise socio-economic change.
    Nigerian Music icon, Lagbaja jokingly uses funny object to direct social change
    and lyrical repetition to emphasize political change. Good music goes beyond
    solid lyrics but how far these lyrics can affect the listener and his surroundings.
    A genre of music has a lot
    to do with content. Every music kind has its own soul and message. In essence,
    most RnB Artiste goes with content of love, heartbreak, hope and other related
    content. Afro pop will majorly give the drumbeat, beauty and pride. Reggae will
    always give hope, strength, and freedom. Some of the few instances I have given
    have gone through lots of experiences and their root has always been founded on
    these traits. Moreover, most listeners have a genre or genres that may seem
    appealing.
    A ‘’Good
    music’’ can also have the ability to stay evergreen. Some listeners believe
    that ‘’Good music’’ has this particular trait. What actually makes a song stay
    evergreen is usually the intention of the message-bearer. Music is so powerful
    that your works today can cause a remarkable impact for generations even after
    death. Something spectacular usually makes music impactful for many years. It
    may not even be anything relating to Artiste message. It can be something special
    about the video or the effectiveness of such song during that period. Don’t get
    it twisted, this thought on ‘’Good music’’ is a great one but not solid enough
    because some ever green music still have a period where the shelf life will
    deteriorate.
    Appealing and irresistible
    beat may likely make a ‘’Good music’’ but what about great songs that did not
    bother much on fascinating beat. Some are even accompanied with acoustic guitar
    and Piano. Great music symphony icons like Beethoven, Mozart did stress much
    majorly on rhythm, strong Orchestra and powerful opera singers.
    Basically, it is generally
    believed that music is the combination of multiple elements of sounds that
    sounds pleasing to the ear. I still doubt if this general belief on music
    affects the phenomenon, ‘’Good music’’. Some deep readers believe that playing
    music while reading can be a bit distracting and may not be needed at that
    particular time. A good opera track can seem disturbing in a beer parlour.
    Tuface ‘’African Queen’’ may not be appreciated or pleasing to a congregation
    if played in a church. A ‘’Good music’’ can still be turned down in line with
    an individual’s mood and atmosphere.
    A music listener even
    pointed out some key things about ‘’Good music’’ based on his thought. He puts
    it in these words ‘’A good music becomes good when you immerse into it; something
    that lifts up your spirit, a tool that makes you forget all worries and gives
    you goose bumps’’. This ideology is an interesting one but a bit controversial.
    I raised some questions from this ideology like: ‘’Does good music lift the
    soul always?’’, Does it relieve you off all worries?’’.
    Every music has its own
    soul and every listener tunes his mind to feel this soul. When the soul is
    lifted, does it edify the soul or give bad effect to such listeners and his
    environ? It is no doubt music influences most listeners’ lifestyle, for example;
    violent music has exposed so many youths to homicide acts even at a young age.
    If ‘’Good music’’ relieves
    listeners of all worries, I wonder why we have music that still gives us memory
    of bad experiences or music that shows emotions of heartbreak and many more
    like that
    Good voice draws the
    attention of listener but with music evolution over the years, it is likely not
    a good determinant of ‘’Good music’’. Music professionals like ‘’Yanni’’
    involves majorly musical instrument in his own works with limited voice
    participation. With the instance given, musical instrument can serve as a
    source of inspiration.
    I agree with almost every
    idea I have come across lately, but I think there is still a vacuum in all
    these definitions that needs to be blocked. It is evident that every single
    individual’s perspective on ‘’Good music’’ is a subjective view but it needs to
    be reconsidered and redefined by individual listener.
     
    By Ogunleye Oluwakorede
    About Me  
    Ogunleye Oluwakorede writes majorly on entertainment, history and socio-economic matters. He has previously released works like album reviews and content information. He is also a music critic and analyst particularly on Nigerian music entertainment.
    Contact Me
    Instagram: omo_baba_ogunleye
    Snapchat: horluwakorex
    Twitter: horluwakorex_
    Whatsapp: 08144651530

  • THE DISOBEDIENT DAUGHTER WHO MARRIED A SKULL

    EFFIONG Edem was a
    native of Cobham Town. He had a very fine daughter, whose name was Afiong. All
    the young men in the country wanted to marry her on account of her beauty; but
    she refused all offers of marriage in spite of repeated entreaties from her
    parents, as she was very vain, and said she would only marry the best-looking
    man in the country, who would have to be young and strong, and capable of
    loving her properly. Most of the men her parents wanted her to marry, although
    they were rich, were old men and ugly, so the girl continued to disobey her
    parents, at which they were very much grieved. The skull who lived in the
    spirit land heard of the beauty of this Calabar virgin, and thought he would
    like to possess her; so he went about amongst his friends and borrowed
    different parts of the body from them, all of the best. From one he got a good
    head, another lent him a body, a third gave him strong arms, and a fourth lent
    him a fine pair of legs. At last he was complete, and was a very perfect
    specimen of manhood.
    He then left the spirit
    land and went to Cobham market, where he saw Afiong, and admired her very much.
    About this time Afiong
    heard that a very fine man had been seen in the market, who was better-looking
    than any of the natives. She therefore went to the market at once, and directly
    she saw the Skull in his borrowed beauty, she fell in love with him, and
    invited him to her house. The Skull was delighted, and went home with her, and
    on his arrival was introduced by the girl to her parents, and immediately asked
    their consent to marry their daughter. At first they refused, as they did not
    wish her to marry a stranger, but at last they agreed.
    He lived with Afiong for
    two days in her parents’ house, and then said he wished to take his wife back
    to his country, which was far off. To this the girl readily agreed, as he was
    such a fine man, but her parents tried to persuade her not to go. However,
    being very headstrong, she made up her mind to go, and they started off
    together. After they had been gone a few days the father consulted his Ju Ju
    man, who by casting lots very soon discovered that his daughter’s husband
    belonged to the spirit land, and that she would surely be killed. They
    therefore all mourned her as dead.
    After walking for
    several days, Afiong and the Skull crossed the border between the spirit land
    and the human country. Directly they set foot in the spirit land, first of all
    one man came to the Skull and demanded his legs, then another his head, and the
    next his body, and so on, until in a few minutes the skull was left by itself
    in all its natural ugliness. At this the girl was very frightened, and wanted
    to return home, but the skull would not allow this, and ordered her to go with
    him. When they arrived at the skull’s house they found his mother, who was a
    very old woman quite incapable of doing any work, who could only creep about.
    Afiong tried her best to help her, and cooked her food, and brought water and
    firewood for the old woman. The old creature was very grateful for these
    attentions, and soon became quite fond of Afiong.
    One day the old woman
    told Afiong that she was very sorry for her, but all the people in the spirit
    land were cannibals, and when they heard there was a human being in their
    country, they would come down and kill her and eat her. The skull’s mother then
    hid Afiong, and as she had looked after her so well, she promised she would
    send her back to her country as soon as possible, providing that she promised
    for the future to obey her parents. This Afiong readily consented to do. Then
    the old woman sent for the spider, who was a very clever hairdresser, and made
    him dress Afiong’s hair in the latest fashion. She also presented her with
    anklets and other things on account of her kindness. She then made a Ju Ju and
    called the winds to come and convey Afiong to her home. At first a violent
    tornado came, with thunder, lightning and rain, but the skull’s mother sent him
    away as unsuitable. The next wind to come was a gentle breeze, so she told the
    breeze to carry Afiong to her mother’s house, and said good-bye to her. Very
    soon afterwards the breeze deposited Afiong outside her home, and left her
    there.
    When the parents saw
    their daughter they were very glad, as they had for some months given her up as
    lost. The father spread soft animals’ skins on the ground from where his
    daughter was standing all the way to the house, so that her feet should not be
    soiled. Afiong then walked to the house and her father called all the young
    girls who belonged to Afiong’s company to come and dance, and the feasting and
    dancing was kept up for eight days and nights. When the rejoicing was over, the
    father reported what had happened to the head chief of the town. The chief then
    passed a law that parents should never allow their daughters to marry strangers
    who came from a far country. Then the father told his daughter to marry a friend
    of his, and she willingly consented, and lived with him for many years, and had
    many children.

  • OLURONBI

    A very long time ago, there was a
    village where many of the women were barren. They desperately wanted children
    and decided to ask the spirit that lived inside the big Iroko tree for
    help. 

    One by one, they went to visit the Iroko tree to beg the Iroko tree spirit for
    help. The Iroko tree asked each of the women who showed up what she would give
    in return for bearing a child. And woman after woman promised the Iroko tree
    spirit goats, yams, handwoven cloth or whatever it was she sold for a living as
    many of these women were traders who sold their wares at a weekly market in an
    open field.

    One of the women who was named Oluronbi also approached the Iroko tree for
    help. She was so desperate for a child that when the Iroko tree spirit asked
    her what she would give in return for a child, she eagerly offered her first
    born child.

    Before a year ran out, many of the women had given birth to children and
    returned to the Iroko tree to fulfill their various promises. When it was time
    for Oluronbi to fulfill her promise, she went to the Iroko tree to plead her
    case. She could offer the Iroko tree everything, anything else but not her
    child. But the tree spirit would not be swayed and took the child despite
    Oluronbi?s cries and pleas.

    Since then villagers have sang this song as a reminder of the event.

    Oníkálukú jèjé ewúré
    Others offered sheep
    Oníkálukú jèjé àgùtàn, àgùtàn bòlòjò
    Others offered goats
    Olúrónbí èjé omo re
    Oluronbi offered her child
    Omo re a pón bí epo
    Her beautiful child
    Olúrónbí ò jo jo
    Ìrókò jo jo
    [The last two lines are just chorus]

Sorry, cannot copy or rightclick.