Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post presents quotes from various internet sites that provide information about other meanings of the Igbo word "Ijele" besides a direct reference for the Ijele Masquerade.
The content of this post is presented for linguistic and cultural purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/05/ijele-nigerian-igbo-masquerade-video.html for a closely related pancocojams post entitled "Ijele: Nigerian (Igbo) Masquerade Video & Information".
The word "Ijele" sounded like "e-JEH-le" to me in the video that is embedded in that post. [Pronunciation corrections welcome.]
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DISCLAIMER:
I'm African American and unfortunately don't know any language but English. This post doesn't mean to imply that I know anything about this subject but what I have read online.
This post doesn't mean to list all the Igbo uses or all the Nigerian uses of the word "ijele".
Additions and corrections are very welcome.
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EXCERPTS ABOUT THE IGBO TERM "IJELE" (besides its use as a direct referent for the Masquerade)
[Pancocojams Editor's Note: These excerpts are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.]
I. IJELE AS A NAME OR A REFERENT FOR A PERSON (other than for the Igbo musician/singer Flavour)
Excerpt #1
From https://www.names.org/n/ijele/about#:~:text=A%20submission%20from%20Nigeria%20says,person%20of%20honour%20and%20dignity%22.
"A submission from Nigeria says the name Ijele means "Ijele in Igbo
land refers to one of the greatest masquerades, well-known for its dignity and
grace. It is highly respected and adored. Conotatively, we use Ijele to refer
to a person of honour and dignity".
A user from Nigeria says the name Ijele means "A great
person".
A submission from the United Kingdom says the name Ijele
means "Type of masquerade in South-Eastern Nigeria (Igboland)" and is
of Nigerian origin."
****
Excerpt #2
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjEFGpnkL38&ab_channel=OfficialFlavour
Flavour - Ijele (Feat. Zoro) [Official Video]
Official Flavour, Dec. 26, 2017 [Comments]
1. Traore Bintou, 2017
"What is Ijele 🤔, some one can
explain??. I love my lovely Africa🌍🌍
**
Reply
2. uzzyvick, 2017
"Traore Bintou Ijele is Igbo connotation
for the ultimate in beauty and elegance. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ijele_Masquerade
**
Reply
3. De Monarch, 2017
"Traore Bintou no, Ijele is not beauty...
Ijele is the biggest and most highly respected masquerade in Igboland.. It
represents greatness... If some one calls you ijele , it means that u r bn
referred to as "big" or great.... In a typical Igbo community called
Aguleri (meaning the Lion of Eri), the people name their children according to
their life experiences.. In this town, people especially females are named
"Ijele" and these mostly come from families that are wealthy or giant
in nature... Merry xmas
**
Reply
4. Son of NOK
"De Monarch
...however the literal meaning of Ijele
is also the vicious black ant that dominates its victim or enemies with a
million bites/second. The fact that somebody is called Agu (Lion) does not mean
that he is literally a lion. Ijele; dominance
by elegance, glory and grace. The Ijele masquarade is the epitome of artistic dominance in the art Masquarade
in Igboland. When someone is egged on as Ijele, its usually in reference to
their presumed elegance, beauty, grace, glory..., hence Igbo people will shower
praises in words like: Mmanwu!, Ijele, Ogidida!, Oke Mmanwu; expressing
fierceness... (I hang around an Art Historian)"
**
Ii. IJELE AS A REFERENT FOR FLAVOUR AND AS THE TITLE OF ONE OF HIS ALBUM AND ONE OF HIS SONGS
Excerpt #1
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flavour_(musician)
"Chinedu Okoli (born 23 November 1983), better known by his stage name Flavour N'abania or simply Flavour, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He began his musical career as a drummer for a local church. Flavour is popularly known across Africa and the world for his hit song "Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix)". He is currently signed to 2nite Entertainment.
In 2005, he released his self-titled debut album N'abania. In 2010, Flavour released his second studio album Uplifted. It was supported by the singles "Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix)", "Adamma", and "Oyi Remix". The album's success made Flavour one of Africa's most sought out artists."...
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Excerpt #2
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ijele_the_Traveler
"Ijele the Traveler is the fifth studio
album by Nigerian musician Flavour N'abania. The album was released on June 30,
2017, and artists like Sarkodie, Zoro, Terry Apala, Phyno, Semah G. Weifur and
Chidinma are featured on some of the tracks.[1] The record producers who worked
on the project include Masterkraft, Tekno, Young John, Del'B, Illkeyz and
Kezykleff.
Background
Ijele the Traveler follows his studio
album titled Thankful released in 2014.[2] Igbo masquerade culture, with its
Ijele Masquerade, significantly influences the album.[3][4] The album is
composed of contemporary highlife and a blend of afro pop, hip hop, reggae and
R&B sounds. The songs on the album were written in Igbo, English, and
Pidgin. The song "Most High" features Semah Weifur, a blind Liberian
boy who always wanted to meet Flavour.[5]
****
Excerpt #3
From https://thenativemag.com/essentials-flavour-ijele-traveler-scare-your-favorite-artists/
ESSENTIALS: FLAVOUR’S ‘IJELE – THE TRAVELER’ SHOULD SCARE YOUR FAVORITE AFROPOP ARTISTS Written by Debola Abimbolu - 28.Jun.2017
"Masquerades come in different shapes and sizes and while
some are regarded more highly than others, they are not on the same level with
mere mortals. Flavour may be mortal but in a world where oldtime genres have
become a fancy tool for so-called alternative artists to sprinkle on electronic
production, Flavour has remained a living tribute to the music of our parents.
His latest album, Ijele – The Traveler tilts him even closer to godly status
than ever before because it sees him embrace the pop sheen in a way only
skilled artists can.
[...]
Flavour shows his versatility on Ijele – The Traveler by
immersing himself into the pop scene without tainting his high-life style. This
allows him expand his already wide spread fan base and really challenges
Afropop artists to do better or before all their fans change camp."
****
Excerpt #4
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-jG2yqR84U&ab_channel=LyonMackTV
Interesting Things About Flavour As IJele 1 Of Africa
Findout [Biggest Masquerade In Igboland]
Lyon Mack TV, Premiered Jul 14, 2020
"Many people refer to flavour as the ijele 1 of Africa but
don't really know why he is called so, In this video, I will be sharing with
you reason why flavour is referred to as the biggest masquerade from the
eastern part of Nigeria."
-snip-
Here are two comments from that vlog's discussion thread
1. Lura Blair, 2020
"I love the. Ijele is nice just like flavour he is as pretty
as the Ijele i 💘 him very much"
-snip-
This comments echoes the video blogger's statement that “Flavour has the beauty of Ijele”.
[5:40-5:54 in that video]
**
2. Sylvia Guy, 2020
"Flavour ljele big snake of Africa da boss"
****
Excerpt #5
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjEFGpnkL38&ab_channel=OfficialFlavour
Flavour - Ijele (Feat. Zoro) [Official Video]
Official Flavour, Dec. 26, 2017
1. Comic EmmAn, 2018
"first 2k view...
dope music... aw many likes for Flavour,
ijele Africa"
**
2. The Superkids.2018
"Ijele 1 of Igboland!"
**
3. Luigi Kings, 2019
"The only Ijele of Africa, Flavour na abania, you no get rival, more wisdom"
-snip-
A number of commenters in that video's discussion thread critized that video because it was filmed in a poor neighborhood and didn't include the Ijele masquerade or any of the beauty and grandeur of that masquerade. Here's a comment exchange that documents those opinions:
1. iheanyi1, 2018
"The video did not rightly depict the concept of Ijele. Ijele is the zenith of grandeur. There ought to be grandiose dances, majestic and colourful masquredes. Daintiness. It's not about depicting local environment and culture, but what aspect appropriate for the Ijele . E nwere nnukwu mmonwu. Nnukwu Mmonwu futa, obodo agbama oso, otimkpu ana-eti gara gara wu ugwueze."
-snip-
Google translate from Igbo to English:
"There is a big gap. Big Mmonwu came out, the city of refuge, the screams went louder and louder."
Reply
2.
"iheanyi1 I don't know anything about the tradition or the meaning of "ijele" though, so am just saying I feel the song that's all"
**
Reply
3. iheanyi1, 2018
"It is okay. I am Igbo and as an Igbo, I expected Ijele to be about Ijele. Its like singing a love song without any reference to love."
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Excerpt #5
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN0hSjZ_7fQ&ab_channel=OfficialFlavour
Flavour - Good Woman (Official Video)
Official Flavour, March 31, 2021 [comments]
1. alex Moses, 2021
"Always on point Flavour IJele 1 of Africa"
**
2. Jonahobioha212, 2021
"Ijele Africa I salute u, u are unique, more power to ur
strength."
**
3.
"Flavour
you are a talent, the greatest musician in Nigeria and a blessed young
man. Jesie ike nna. You are our ORIGINAL IJELE!!!!
****
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