Nuggets of Chief Pericoma Okoye

We choose to start this with the legendary Pericoma Okoye. Pericoma needs no introduction for most Igbophilias. Born in Arondizuogu, Imo state Nigeria.  Pericoma is a walking library of Igbo history, ideas and culture. His music is best described as oral rendition of rarefied Igbo history. And as typical with the Igbo tradition of story telling through songs; there is plenty for the curious to learn. Every sentence is layered with meanings that befuddles the 'ofeke' but intended as beacons for the intelligent. We have deliberately selected lyrics based on their themes in particular track, rather than translating the whole song, for our purpose.

 Ikeji '86

I. Omenana ne eso okwu

Omenana na eso ekwu/2ce
Anyi amaghi ihe ndi Jiri biri be ha

Traditions clashes with one another/
because we are ignorant of others' way of life

MEANING OF WEALTH

Gini ka ana ebu uzo aju e?/ Ihe ana ebu uzo aju bu nwa.
What is the first question people ask?/ The first question is about your child
Ihe onye ilo na aju onye muru omumu si na onweghi aku na uba/ 2wice.
An enemy says to a family man, that he is poor
Chefuo na dike akpataghi aku okpata uduburu afo ya
Forgetting that no matter how wretched a man is, he will fill his stomach
Ma odi na ejighi aku ojide ire oma
if he has no money, he could have sweet tongue

Jealousy/Gossips

okwu nnadi na agwa nnadi ya/
The word a rival tells a rival
okwa ya bu onye kulu ama agbaa/
is a secret exposed by the conspirator

obulu na ha nwa ejebe nku, ha nwa ebulu nnadi kunie
When they head to the woods, they go with their enmity
 Obulu na ha nwa ejebe mmiri ha nwa ebulu nnadi kunie
when they head to the river, they go with their enmity

ihe ha na ne eme, ha nwa eburu nnadi puwa
whatever they do, they do with enmity

chefuo na anu gburu okwa gburu onye be ya
Forgetting that the animal that kills the bushfowl killed a companion
ojiri nnadi kpu uno na mbala ka oga ebi
He who built a house on enemy's foundation, will end up in the street

okolo nkem akoghi nke ya nenu na omaghi ako.
he said mine without saying his, is a false witness
iko nkem ikoghi nke gi, okwa ima na aruru ala egbu o neye
he said mine without saying his, he is full of deceits
ejeghem egesi asiri ha hu
I will no longer heed their gossips
ka mu mere m mgbem ehe
I will do things on my terms