Pericomo Damian Azubike Nwankwo Okoye (1948 – February 16, 2017), known as Pericoma, was a Nigerian singer, songwriter and traditionist. In addition to his music, he was known as a practitioner of Odinala, the traditional religion of the Igbo people.
Pericoma Okoye | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Pericoma Mezuo Okoye |
| Also known as |
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| Born | 1948 |
| Origin | Arondizuogu, Imo, Nigeria |
| Died | February 16, 2017 Okigwe, Imo, Nigeria |
| Genres | Igbo masquerade music |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
Life and career edit
Okoye was born in 1948[1] in Arondizuogu in Imo State.[2] He was a singer-songwriter in the Igbo masquerade tradition.[2] His music was described as "oral rendition of rarefied Igbo history".[2][3] He first became known in the early 1970s, when he sang in the choir of St. Michael's Catholic church in Arondizuogu and then became lead vocalist of Troupe, a cultural music group. After releasing an album with them, he left to form his own group and starting in 1976, released yearly albums.[1] He created more than 200 songs.[2]
Okoye was cultural prime minister of Arondizuogu until his death[citation needed] and was known as Mezuo Mbụ nke Arọndizuogu ('first of Arondizuogu')[4] and Arụsị Makaja Mbụ ('first Makaji Arusi')[4] or Arusi Makaja 1.[3][5][6] After appearing with Pete Edochie in a Nollywood movie titled Lion of Africa, he also came to be called by that name.[1][2]
Traditional practitioner edit
Okoye was also known as a practitioner of traditional Igbo religion and magic, Odinala.[4] An article by a theologian contrasted him in this respect with Oliver de Coque, noting Okoye's praise for "herbalists and those deemed capable of making contact with and manipulating the world of the spirits".[2][7] His magic performances drew large audiences to the Ikeji festival in Arondizuogu.[2] The best known tale of his magical exploits, recounted by Anaede Unu in a song titled "Pericoma na-anyi ajo aro", was when he foiled a gang of extortionist "agbero boys" in Onitsha who demanded his tax receipts: when he ignored them, one of them attempted to carry him off on his shoulders, but he reportedly made himself extremely heavy and prevented the man from lowering him for several hours, until the group performed the propitiatory rituals to his deity that he specified.[2][3][5]
Honours edit
In July 2010, Okoye received the Distinguished Achievement Award of the Mbari Literary Society in Owerri for his contribution to the growth and preservation of Igbo language and culture.[2]
Personal life and death edit
Okoye had several wives and many children, including Omor Perry, his eldest son, Ebube Izuogu, who is also a traditional singer, and Fenfe Pericoma Johnbosco.[4] Darlington Okoye, a Nigerian rapper who performs under the name Speed Darlington, said in July 2017 that Pericoma Okoye was also his father.[8]
He died on February 16, 2017, in a hospital in Okigwe.[2][6] Final interment in the village of Ndiogbuonyeoma, Ndibeuche was scheduled for April 9, 2018.[1]
Selected discography edit
References edit
- ^ a b c d e "Final Burial For Renowned Igbo Musician Pericomo Nwankwo Okoye". Ejigbo City Diary. March 1, 2018. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Chuks Oluigbo (February 19, 2017). "Pericomo Okoye: When a big masquerade exits the stage". Business Day. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
- ^ a b c d Nzeh Frankwhite (February 17, 2017). "Igbo traditional high life music exponent, Pericoma Okoye, passes on". The Authority News. Archived from the original on February 19, 2017.
- ^ a b c d Uche Akolisa (May 8, 2020). "Ihe mere Pericoma ji anyị ajọ arọ". BBC News Igbo (in Igbo). Retrieved November 14, 2023.
- ^ a b Khadijah Thabit (February 17, 2017). "Ichie Mezuo Pericomo Okoye, Arusi Makaja 1, aka Pericoma, allegedly dies". Legit. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
- ^ a b "Singer and traditionalist, Ichie Mezuo Pericoma Okoye, Arusi Makaja 1 reportedly dead". Vanguard Allure. February 16, 2017. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
- ^ Lawrence N. Nwankwo (2016). "'A Na-Enwe Obodo Enwe?' A Socio-Theological Reflection on a Track in Oliver De Coque's Album". Ministerium, A Journal of Contextual Theology. 2 (1).
- ^ O.G.A. (July 9, 2017). "Speed Darlington reveals he's the Son of Pericoma Okoye, says 'I hated him'". Information Nigeria. Retrieved November 14, 2023.