By Dr Innocent Chidumebi Okonkwo
Uvio is a large semi sylinderical hollow wooden instrument. It is beaten with two wooden robber- tiped mallets.
Uvio traditional music which originated from Aguleri, the ancestral home of the Igbos will be played today at Okukuizu market in Ivite Aguleri by 2 pm to commemorate the annual Alommuo festival of Aguleri.
"Uvio na - ekwulu onye chili echichi" is an Igbo saying which means that the prestigious Uvio music is meant for the Chieftaincy title Holders. The Uvio Music is ancient and the oldest music in Igbo land. It is accompanied by prestigious dance steps of the distinguished class of the society. It is the only dance of the Ogbuevi titled men for special occasions like taking of Chieftaincy titles, coronation of kings, burial of Chieftaincy title Holders and Alommuo festivals.
It is believed that Egwu Uvio is a spiritual music and the children of Ogbuevi title holders both males and females enjoy the privilege of dacing to the music during their father's burial. They put on their late Father's Chieftaincy regalia to represent him while dancing to the music in the burial ceremony of their deceased father. The families of non Chieftaincy title Holders are not privileged to dance Uvio music
The living legend of The Prestigious Uvio Music In Igbo land today is Ogbuevi ADILI OZOEMENA known as Adili Otimkpolo.
In an interview with the living legend, Ogbuevi Adili told OMT reporters that late Okechukwu Otieli from Umuawunu Ivite Aguleri handed over to late Ogbuevi Chuduve Okwie from Isiokwe Ivite Aguleri.This is a true life story of Ogbuanyinya Adili Ozoemena. He served the former priest of Otutunzu deity, Chief Molokwu. He said he saw himself playing the music in a dream and when he woke up, he narrated the dream to his boss, and he interpreted that the deity would settle him with the Uvio music.
According to Ogbuanyinya Adili, "The following morning, the Chief Uvio drummer for Otutunzu deity went out and there was a need to play the drum". So, the priest asked me, " but you saw yourself playing this Uvio in your dream? Pick it up and play for us". He said that was his first time to play it and he performed wonderfully well. Infact he outperformed the Chief drummer.
Chief Adili is one of the very few that can still play the Uvio music till date. He plays it for hours at special occasions tirelessly as if he swallowed the root called "Ike agwu obi" which means the "tireless root". Most of the age grade leaders, isi iru, usually take this herb to strengthen them during their first official outings. You can ask Chief Chukwujekwu Igwenma of Umunnoke, the isi iru of NWANNEMALINWANNE Age grade, Aguleri.
During new yam festival, also known as Alommuo festival there is a particular track that is called "Mbe liche li ji". Ogbuevi Adili beats the Uvio in such a manner that the rythm sounds "Mbe licheli ji" which means the Chiefs who are represented with the name Mbe are eating yam which is a costly food. This is because the Chieftaincy title holders don't eat "akpu" in the olden days. Yam and nli oka are food for the rich men. For one to dance Mbe licheli ji, it requires a unique dancing step together with flipping of the konkosa wears to rhyme with the sound of the music.
Ogbuevi Adili while beating the Uvio also sings for the wealthy men and warriors in the community.
He will perform today for the good people of Ivite Aguleri and the Children will celebrate Alommuo with an Uvio competition with prize money ranging from 1k to 10k for both the girls and boys categories.