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"King Sunny Ade; Synchro System" from Synchro Series
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"King Sunny Ade; Ota Mi Ma Yo Mi" from Synchro Series
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Glossary of terms you may hear in praise singing

Ikebe – Yoruba for backside; usually used to describe those with a prominent or well-endowed rear end, which is highly prized for dancing.

Ekabo – Yoruba - “Welcome;” what you way to someone when they arrive in your house or town.

Ose – Yoruba - literally “You have done it” but actually means “Thank you.”

Agbada – Yoruba - A man’s formal dress robe, essential wear for the night out.

Gele – Yoruba – A women’s head wrap, the more outrageous in color and wrapping style the better.

Ileke – Beads, particularly waist beads that used to be very popular among young women.

Talking Drum – Most Nigerian languages are tonally based. This means that a phonetic difference or tonal contour of a spoken word or phrase can convey meaning. Because both the Ibo and Yoruba languages make wide use of proverbs and other formulaic speech, a multi-pitched instrument (in the hands of a master) can emulate the tonal and rhythmic patterns of the spoken word, and therefore “speak.” The most common speaking instrument is an hourglass shaped variable pitched drum called Dundun or Gangan among the Yoruba. Though literally any and every instrument can be used to “speak.”

Olili – Igbo for a big happening, a party.

Igbo Kwenu” – “Igbo people Listen;” This is often said to call people to attention at Igbo gatherings.

Ariya – Yoruba for fun or enjoyment.

Owambe – from the phrase S’owambe? Or “Is it there?” In the early days of Juju music, it was popular for women to wear waist beads (considered very sexy, but very personal) when going out. To connect with their audience singers would sometimes call out “S’owambe?” “Is it there?” to which the audience would shout in reply “Owambe!” or “It’s there.” Like an African version of “My Baby’s got back”. The popularity of this interaction became synonymous with a style of Juju music, still played by King Sunny Ade. Evetually the S’owambe “Is it there” could refer to anything such as money, coolness or any trendy item, Cementing the popular call and response exchange as a highlight of any Juju performance.

Highlife – Social music influenced by Big Band music, Brass Band music, and Cuban Rumba. Came to Nigeria from Ghana in the 1950’s and enjoyed wide popularity. It has become and remained the most popular form of Ibo music.

Omoge – Yoruba – Young Ladies (or sexy young ladies).

Ibo or Igbo – Nigeria’s third largest ethnic group, some 25 million people, living in the Southeastern region of the country.

Juju – Yoruba social music which has its origins in urban palm wine (a local liquor) parlors of the early 20th century. Typified large ensembles of percussion and stringed instruments, and led by a dynamic singer.

Praise Singing – When a performer sings the praises, or virtues of a patron. This is done to enhance the prestige of the person being praised and to make them feel good, which results in Spraying (see below).

Spraying – The act of giving money to an artist in appreciation of their work and particularly in response to their praise singing. Called spraying because the money is usually  “sprayed” in dramatic fashion onto the forehead of the praise singer.

Yoruba – Nigeria’s second largest ethnic group, some 35 million people living in the Southwestern region of the country.



Additional Info
The Art of Praise Singing and Grass-Roots Patronage:King Sunny ...
The Beginner's Guide to African Late-Night Parties
Examples of Praise Singing Topics
Beginner's Guide to Spraying
Glossary of terms you may hear in praise singing

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