Igbo Woman praised by the Oja flute

In this video, the flutist is praise-singing for the woman in celebration of motherhood. The flute in this video highlights the qualities and characteristics of the Igbo woman. Such qualities include the ability of the woman to bear and raise a child and breastfeed. The flutist refered to the physical qualities of the woman such as her beauty and shapeliness. The woman's ability to manage the home and the wealth of the husband is all captured in the video. A woman in Igboland is always celebrated and praised because the wife and mother is seen as a pillar to the husband and the home. Ọja is a wooden flute, indigenous to the Igbo people of eastern Nigeria. Its usage is vast, but in most cases it is used in dramatic performance to create suspense. The Ọja may be played for the Igwe for the purpose of entertainment or relaxation. Or, may take on a more important role during life-cycle celebrations such as naming ceremonies or taking of a new wife. The use of the Ọja goes as far as the need calls, to the extent of using it to sing a dirge for the dead. The Ọja may be seen as the soul of Igbo cultural music. In Igbo myths, it is believed to possess some form of spiritual power capable of even raising the dead. Simply put, Ọja is a musical instrument of repute for the Igbo people. It is sometimes described as the Oil with which Igbo music is eaten. The sound energizes the weak and calls up the very aged to jump up in strength as they dance to its calls. Performers: Bartholomew Ogbu (ike anyi ji eje mba), Charles Chukwudozie, Chinyelum Ewelum. Videographers: Aaron Carter-Enyi, Ebruphiyor Omodoro Translators: Charles Chukwudozie, Ugonna Okonkwo Description by: Charles Chukwudozie, Nnaemeka .C. Amad