Sound classification
Enenke is an aerophone, which means they produce sound primarily through the vibration of a column of air. These instruments include trumpet, opi okike ( opi ike) , and even oja.
How it is made
Enenke is produced from the horn of a wild animal called “ene” (An antelope). Enenke is used in certain areas like Oraifite, Ichi, Ozubulu, Ihiala and the environs. The horns are sourced from ndi Dinta (hunters) and refined into musical instruments by wood carvers and craftsmen, the inner bone core is removed. Craftsmen then soak the horn or use heat to separate the keratin sheath from the bone. The craftsman thins the walls of the horn by scraping the interior and exterior. This process, known as delicate tapping, allows the carver to listen for the “sweet spot” where the horn vibrates most freely. the blow-hole is then filed into the side (transverse). The placement of this hole is critical because moving it even a few millimeters can change the acoustic of the Enenke
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Significance
The sound of the Enenke in places like Oraifite signifies something of grave concern and what should be placed very close attention to. The sound of the Enenke at different times means different things :
- The sound of Enenke at midnight means danger of death,
- The sound of the Enenke in the mornings, may be for festivals, marriage attendance or a call for emergency meetings at the village square.
- In occasions like burials, Enenke is used in the announcement of bringing home the symbolic corpse of a deceased Nwada (daughter of the community). Also it is used to announce the departure or burial of titled men, (ndi nze na ozo) or a war hero (dike) to the afterlife.
For masquerade cults, when Enenke is used to welcome the otu-eke masquerade, it means that the host of spirit soldiers are on the road for a particular social commitment. According to Chris Ebighgbo , In Ozubulu, Ihiala, Okija and environs, enenke are used as described above but have other pleasant uses for their masquerade-– mmuọ-ọzọ ebuni. This is a mask that is accompanied with great applause from both men and women. Its appearance in the community is punctuated with gladness. Everybody would want to share the blessings from the land of the spirit. Enenke is mostly used as a solo musical instrument which heralds its appearance and performance.
References:
- Music Africa Awake. (2019). Igbo traditional music instrument.
- Ebighgbo, C. (2009). The trumpets: Okike, Ọdu-mkpalọ, and Enenke as ethnography in Igbo social commitments
- Umu Igbo Magazine. Egwu nkwa ndi Igbo: Igbo music and musical instruments
