This image you see here, called Ikoro, is a wooden ancient instrument popularly used by the South Eastern part of Nigeria - the Igbo tribe.
It is a slit drum that consists of two horizontal slits made from the great Oji - Iroko tree (Milicia excelsa), usually beaten with a stick or sticks or fists and produces a distinctively hollow sound when beaten.
The Ikoro is a beautiful piece of art, which is used as a means of conveying message in the community or a musical instrument for festivals.
Being a special instrument, it is not beaten by everybody, only the men assigned to do so have the right to beat it.
Also it is not beaten just anyhow or at anytime one wishes, that is why whenever an Ikoro sounds in a community, everyone in that community will start rushing to the village square to know the reason the call.
Some of the reasons that might warrant the beating of the Ikoro are;
A calamity has befallen the land like outbreak of sickness, massive deaths, unproductive farm lands etc.
Outbreak of war or celebration of victory in war.
The land has been defiled
A murder case
Ceremonies like new yam festival, crowning of a king, marriage celebrations, birth of crown prince in the kingdom etc.
Other things to note about the Ikoro is that the size is enormous, therefore it cannot be carried by one person nor is it moved from place to place, rather it has a fixed place where it is kept, usually at the village square or any other designated place.
I captured this image the day I went for a funeral ceremony at one village in Umuahia, Abia State.
I was so excited because it has been a long time I saw one last.
Well that's all about the Ikoro, hope you enjoyed reading, please do let me know.
This is my entry to the POBphotocontest New Round: Wood
Still the #threadsaddict 馃槀
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