My dearly beloved Nigerian, you might have seen or participated in the “Gwo gwo gwo ngwo” challenge that Brain Jotter started. It’s all over social media.
Aldous Huxley once said, “After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.”
When ‘Gentleman’ Mike Ejeagha released the classic song “Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche,” he couldn’t have imagined that this timeless piece would go viral 41 years later. Art never dies. Just like the “desperate chicks” challenge, this one is gaining popularity, even though there was no TikTok or social media back then to promote it. Yet, here it is, trending many years later.
The Birth of a Viral Phenomenon
Released in 1983 on the “Akuko Na Egwu” album, Vol 1, the song, sung in Igbo, tells the tale of a clever tortoise who tricks an elephant to win a princess’s hand in marriage. The princess had rejected many suitors until her father, the king, asked why. She said she wanted a groom who would bring an elephant as a gift. The tortoise deceived the elephant by pretending it was the chairman of a ceremony. But the cunning tortoise, a recurring figure in Igbo folklore, ended up tricking his friend, angering the giant.
Now, 41 years later, Ejeagha’s hit song has found new life thanks to comedian Brain Jotter. In one of his skits, he used the song in a dance move that went viral.
In the dance move, the comedian Chukwuebuka Emmanuel Amuzie chases his friend, mimicking how the elephant chased the tortoise after realizing it had been tricked. Isn’t it amazing how art can transcend time and generations?
Alphonse de Lamartine said, “Music is the literature of the heart; it commences where speech ends.”
The “Gwo gwo gwo ngwo” in the song mimics the sound of the elephant’s thumping footsteps as it chases the tortoise. In the dance, two people face each other, perform a funny leg dance, and then one chases the other, with the “Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo” part of the chorus playing in the background.
A Timeless Melody Finds New Life
Since Brain Jotter’s adoption of the track, many have joined the viral dance challenge, giving the folk artist’s song a new twist. The challenge has become a social media trend, especially on TikTok, with millions of views as people embrace the “Onye Isi Oche” song.
Henry David Thoreau once said, “When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest.”
The Enduring Impact of Music
The resurgence of this decades-old song has not only brought joy to millions but has also shone a spotlight on the enduring power of traditional music. Mike Ejeagha, now in his 90s, has been overwhelmed by the unexpected recognition and has been showered with gifts and accolades.
The resurgence of “Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche” highlights the urgent need to preserve Nigeria’s rich musical heritage. Many classic songs and artists risk being forgotten as the music industry evolves. It is imperative to invest in digital archiving and restoration efforts to ensure that future generations can appreciate the treasures of the past.
Additionally, there is a need to support emerging artists who continue to push the boundaries of Nigerian music. By nurturing young talent and preserving our musical legacy, we can ensure that the active and diverse sounds of Nigeria will continue to thrive for generations to come.
