Ogbona Cultural Dances and Troupes

THE OGBONA CULTURAL DANCES AND TROUPES BY BERNARD KASIM IKHANE IVHIA-IBANA OR IYABANA OR IBANA INTRODUCTION Ivhia-Ibana is an esoteric and mystic guild of initiates who dwell in the realm of the spirits and visit our world from midnight to the free hour of the morning, to administer justice by announcing enacted laws by the elders and leaders of our society. They also pronounce curses and mete out punishments to offenders of the laws of the land. They are considered as the representatives of our ancestors who live in the underworld. They are known all over Avhianwu, Weppa Wanno, and Ekperi. Apart from Ibana, they are also known as IKUAWA. The name could be called as Ivhia-Ibana or Iyabana. Their shrine (EBO) is located in Okula, deep in the heart of the jungle. They also have a representational abode located beside the village market. It has a conical shape made of zinc from top to almost the ground. They also possess a mobile house, also of a conical shape, shaped with flowering clothes in which they travel around the village in the early mornings to dispense justice before retiring to their underworld. Ivhia-Ibana, being a mystic band of nocturnal spirits, speak in muffled mysterious voices. Their language, called Igha, is highly encrypted and unearthly, and requires an interpreter to convey messages to the uninitiated. The night that they are performing, no woman or child is allowed to come outside of their house or see them. ORIGIN The Ivhia-Ibana guild of nocturnal spirits was said to have been imported from the tribes of the Igala, in present day Kogi State via Anegbette in Etsako Central LGA, Edo State at about 1878 AD. The pioneers, Ogbhumhie from Ivhiobore, and Akhughie Odimhalo brought the dance from Anegbette to Ogbona. Ogbhumhie was the first supreme leader (Ogadigbe). He was succeeded by Amedu Aghemheso, Ifaorumhe Okhoghiemhe, Akhughie Odumhalo and presently, Akhughie Ilemho. And the present patron (Eri-Ibana) is Chief Joseph Eboitse Oshiotse. THEIR FUNCTIONS a) They enforce laws on behalf of the Okphe-Ukpi and the elders of the land. b) They pronounce curses on law breakers by camping around the offender’s abode for whole nights. c) They provide entertainment during festive and funeral rites when invited. MEMORABLE EVENT The infamous episode involving IDAYE and the Ivhia-Ibana remains indelible in our memory till date. Against the express prohibition against plucking of mangoes from trees, Idaye, in defiance of the law plucked mangoes on his way to his farm. The Ivhia-Ibana, in carrying out their penalty, besieged his compound for seven nights and defecated around his entire abode in addition to raining curses on him till he paid the fine that was imposed on him. One of the Iyabana issues was with Eramha Apemhe Asekomhe. Iyabana came to his house sing and abuse him. He told his wife of the Iyabana that was abusing him. That led to several more nights of stake out and abuse by Iyabana. Another case was involving T.Y. Abu who called police for Iyabana, accusing them of eating all the meat in his soup. He went ahead to describe the chicken he used to cook the soup. Basel Alabi then Ogadigbe of Iyabana and John Ikhane were arrested and taken to the police station in Fugar. Jacob Orbih was mandated to go and bail them. T.Y. Abu insisted that Iyabana must pay for his pot of soup   AGBI CULTURAL DANCE TROUPE BY BERNARD KASIM IKHANE INTRODUCTION Agbi dance is a highly energetic and aesthetic display of dancing artistry. It involves the rhythmic stamping, hopping and springing of the feet, alternately, to achieve a reverberating movement of the entire body while flaying the hands freely in the air using horse tail. It is an all-female dance troupe. The drums are beaten by the men folks. The drums are bass-tuned and they are played with dexterity by the men player to achieve precision and the tempo is time-paced with equal levels of crescendo and diminuendo. The sonorous music emanating from the drumming and the dance steps of the troupe are always a thing of beauty to behold. Most of the songs that accompany the dancing and drumming are, in most cases, laced with satires and innuendoes to achieve their peak performance and their didactic value. ORIGIN The Agbi dance is native to Weppa-Wano and Avhianwu Clans as, according to Jacob Orbih, “They grew up to meet the dance”. Thus, it’s not known for certain from whence or where it originated from. PROMINENT PEOPLE Among the drummers (men) where: Richard Asekomhe, Amalu Emamhe, Akpemheiye, Ifaorumhe, Jacob Orbih, John Anasaki Odogbo, Osiregbemhe Ivhador, Kadiri Ikoko, Yakubu Enamhegbai, Omolua Akhughie, etc. The lead women singers were: Comfort Omiawa, Celena Idanwekhai, Imayoni Idogho, Victoria Abu, etc. Others, mainly dancers are: Ikharelu, Ogimhi Asekomhe, Orakhi Okhipo, Aishetu Enamhegbai (who was the last women leader). INSTRUMENTS/ACCOMPANIMENTS  One big drum. One small drum A two-in-one Ikhede (smaller drums) Aze (maracas) Ulu (Gong). Itsavhe (ankle jingles) Ikaba (small bells), thrown over the shoulders/waist by the women. OCCASIONS THAT CALL FOR THEIR PERFORMANCE It is a dance for all seasons, especially, during burial ceremonies, marriages and other social events. MEMORABLE MOMENTS The Ogbona Agbi troupe takes pride in that fact that they groomed the Ayogwiri, Jattu and Iyora troupes. The coronation events that led to the enthroning of Chief Oboarekpe as the Clan Head of Avhianwu Clan after a hard-fought legal battle saw the troupe perform from dusk to dawn, non-stop, for the first time. REVIVAL OF THE DANCE From a reliable source, they have started making costumes in an attempt to revive it. In the ‘80s, Mr. Joseph Emorughu Asapokhai (of Blessed Memory) was a dependable patron & promoter of the Agbi No. 1 Dance Group of Ogbona. He regularly hosted the group in Warri during family and community celebrations. They performed a number of times at the Shell Staff Club in Warri and at Warri Club. Perhaps their last visit to Warri, was when Papa brought them to perform at