SOCIAL-CULTURAL VALUES AND HERITAGE OF THE KEBHU
Music and Entertainment
Kebhu people love music. In their free time, they like to entertain themselves with various activities. When they get excited to play music, they organize a meeting where preparations for the day for the music will be done. In this meeting, the date for the music is fixed, drinks are prepared, and people from other clans are invited. On the eve of the day, one specialist goes to the site of the music to plant a charm (Eukpa) at the site. The next morning, a post called the KAZAKI is placed to mark the place of the music. This site is guarded very well. . Thereafter, two chicken meals are prepared. One chicken is for the elders and the other for the rest of the people; they are cooked and eaten.
The following are the types of music played by the Kebhu people
- Ayali robhi: A song for making fun of other tribes and clans
- Seke: These are flutes played alongside a drum called ERIMA
- Thumi: Are Local harps played for dance
- Likembe: This is a thumb piano
- Kulodoro: dry wood placed to accompany music dance
- Edingili: Is a string fixed to the ground to produce a musical sound
Thumb Piano “Alikombe”
This instrument is called ‘Alikombe’. Played with this other one, it is another unique instrument… Its head is made of iron, and wires tied with to rope produce its sound. The wood, ‘Anga,’ forms its body. This is how it is played
Adungu
This is a bow harp, it is a head which is crafted with cowhide and wood from a guava tree. The ropes are tied and tuned accordingly to create sound. My dad, who taught me to play it, passed down this beautiful tradition to me. From my childhood to now, the bow harp has been a part of my life. I’ve played it for years, and now, my children are learning to play it too.
The Drum “ERIMA” (Ngalabi)
The drum, is called “Erima,” it is central to our cultural dance. It’s unique because its pitch changes depending on where you strike it—hitting the top lowers the pitch, while hitting the side raises it. Made from the skins of wild animals, the “Erima” is crafted with kob and antelope skins, with the top also featuring elephant ear skin. The drum is hollowed from a tree log. It’s used for dancing, accompanied by smaller drums called “Dhidhi ra Ndha” or “Kele ra Ndha.” These small drums add rhythm and complement the powerful sound of the “Erima” during traditional performances.
Adingili- Sauce pan instrument
Is an instrument for women, it is used to accompany songs that talk about teaching such as marriage and childbirth lessons to young girls.
Ozolobi- Buffalo tail
Rikiriki-Tube Fiddle
Seeke- Flute
Ankle bells-Mgbiri
Aruru- Raffias
Sasi- Shakers
Kolodhoro- Sticks
Thumb Piano- Lukembe
Kofira- Hat
Eligo –war tool
Lesu- Cow tail
Umbe- Animal skin
Gumuru- Face mask
