Ikoro: The voice of the gods
When a man moulds a big lump of food, the soup becomes afraid. Ikoro is an Igbo traditional musical instrument that when sounded, the people tremble. This is because the sound of Ikoro signifies a message very peculiar to the beat. It is used as a means of communication in Igbo land signifying a call for war, a call to duty, announcing the death of an influential personality in the community, defilement of the land, or an emergency. At the sound of the Ikoro, all members of the community are expected to gather immediately at the village square where the specific reason for the beating is communicated to the people.
The Igbos says that when the cock crows at dawn, the heart of the debtor throbs. It is considered culturally unnatural for the Ikoro to be sounded without due cause. This is to say that the sound of the Ikoro is bound to very critical issues of public interest and cultural identity. It stands as a watchdog to the community.
The Ikoro is not beaten by everyone. A person who has a good knowledge of it, and is considered a good communicator is usually selected, trained and spiritually empowered to beat it whenever the necessity arises. It signifies a means of communication and dissemination of information in a traditional Igbo setting. Again, it symbolizes unity of purpose.
The centrality of Ikoro in the culture of the Igbo people is seen in its strategic location; it is usually found in the village square, from where its sound is expected to reach the various parts of the village. It is mostly unmovable and a roof built above it as shelter. It is indeed a beautiful and historic sight to behold.
However, today, the existence of Ikoro is endangered. It is said that, sleeping that lasts a traditional week of four days has become death. The advent of modernity has threatened the existence of Ikoro. It becomes rare to sight members of different communities in Igbo land gathered to discuss issues of interest again. Phone conversations and internet communications has gradually almost swallowed most traditional mediums of communication. This has resulted in lack of interest and loss of vital information in the art of making and beating of the Ikoro in most Igbo communities.
There is no doubt that the re-awakening of this unique symbol and art of unity can promote the dying communal living and ways of passing this art of communication and history to the young generation of the Igbo communities for cultural identity and preservation. Ikoro like the day is gradually fading away into the dark but hopefully like dawn, it shall return to bloom again.
