flute, oja

Flute system (oja) system of the Igbo people of Nigeria, described in Onyeji (2006) and Enendu (2014). The instrument itself (oja in Igbo) is a wooden fipple flute with three or four holes. The oja is played in ensemble musical settings as well as solo. The language is tonal, but neither author discusses the encoding system in detail. According to Onyeji: “It is employed in non-musical events and contexts as a talking instrument. As such, it encodes significant messages within non-musical contexts. In such instances it conveys relevant messages to cognitive members or initiates in a ceremony. It is, particularly, used for salutations and praise on these occasions” (198). Enendu (2014) discusses the flute’s role in the Ojionu masquerade ceremony: “[producing] variations of melody and tunes that could be deciphered by Ojionu and those who understand the language” (264).

Onyeji, C. (2006). Oja (Igbo wooden flute): An introduction to the playing technique and performance. In Centering on African Practice in Musical Arts Education (p. 195). African Minds.,Enendu, L. O. M. (2014). Ojionu Masquerade: Spirit Incarnate in Performance. Cross-Cultural Communication, 10(6), 262–265. https://doi.org/10.3968/%x