Ogbo ngelenge is an idiophone used by the igbo people of Nigeria. Mostly found among the Isuochi of modern day Anambra state and Mbaise people in modern day Imo state . Ngelenge is cut out from a tree , called osisi ogirishi (ogirishi tree). The instrument is played by hand, made of tuned wooden bars that are struck with mallets to produce sound.
PHOTO CREDIT : G.I. JONES 1930.
Sound
To play the Ogbo ngelenge, one typically places it on a flat surface and begins striking or tapping the wooden bars with custom chiseled sticks to produce a unique sound . Known for it’s sharp, bright, and playful sound. Ngelenge is usually played during feasts, celebrations, marriage ceremonies , wrestling matches and festivals like (iri ji ). Ngelenge is an integral musical instrument in precolonial igbo orchestras.
In some parts of igboland , especially places ana agba egwu owu done in oru-igbo, ngelenge is a pivotal instrument because owunis a festival of dances. During Iri-ji Mbaise, ndi egwu-Abigbo utilize the thrilling sound of ngelenge for their dance displays.
Unlike other musical instruments that find use in spirituality (oja, udu), as sounds of authority (opi) or communication (ogene), ngelenge is strictly a musical instrument for entertainment.
photo credit : Manchester museum
Classification
Ogbo ngelenge is an idiophone , which means that the sound is produced from the vibration of the instrument itself. Osisi ogirishi is used because of the nature of its wood which makes it produce such tingling sound when put together.
Existential threat
In most igbo communities including Mbaise which is known for using it as a flagship musical instrument, ngelenge is nowhere to be found. Also wood carvers who made this very prized instrument have completely gone under water. Furthermore, ogirishi is going extinct in eastern Nigeria because those who should prize such an important asset of nature currently believe using it as firewood is a better option. So the base resource for making Ngelenge is going extinct because of the deforestation of ogirishi for firewood.
Photo credit : Researchgate
Preservation Efforts
Museums and non governmental organizations like center for memories ( ncheta ndiigbo ) have incorporated ngelenge as one of their display instruments, national museums based in the southeast , including the Nigerian National Archive in Enugu have all documented Ngelenge but there has been calls for more, utilization in mainstream music like highlife, afrobeats and even drill rap that has gained mainstream traction of recent. Also the rise of traditional or contemporary orchestras whose synced voices tend to flow with the Ngelenge would go a long way.
References:
- Anugwa, U. L. (2019). Social impact of Abigbo dance music group in Umuokirika. Journal of Nigerian Music Education.
- Basden, G. T. (1921). Among the Ibos of Nigeria. Seeley, Service & Co.
- Basu, P. (Host). (2020, November 5). [Re:]Entanglements: Igbo sound archive #2 [Video].
- Forchu, I. (2017). Igbo musical instruments: Socio-cultural tools for sustainable development. Journal of Nigerian Music Education, (9), 114–125.
- Iwuoha, C. (2024, October 23). Music of Igbo. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of African History.
- Onah, K. (2023, July 27). Have you heard about “Ogbangelenge”
- With In Nigeria. (2023, November 28). The history, culture, and demographics of Mbaise in Imo State, Nigeria.
