NZA

Author: Ezeibenne, Onyekachukwu Paul

Musical Analysis

The Tale of Nza and Obu: A Folklore for Children and Lessons for All

Abstract
This paper examines The Tale of Nza and Obu, a creative composition inspired by Igbo folklore and arranged as a children’s choral piece. The work draws upon indigenous storytelling traditions and integrates African musical idioms to communicate enduring lessons on humility, pride, wisdom, and survival. The accompanying score functions as both a pedagogical and cultural bridge, linking oral tradition with contemporary art music.

In doing so, it highlights the role of creative composition in preserving cultural identity and fostering moral education. The study encourages composers and educators to explore folklore-based creativity as a means of ensuring cultural continuity and moral formation.

Introduction
Folklore has long served as a powerful medium of education, entertainment, and moral instruction within African societies. Among the Igbo of Nigeria, folktales act as moral compasses and mirrors of communal values (Echeruo, 1998; Okafor, 2005). The Tale of Nza and Obu originates from one such folktale, passed down orally to the composer by his mother, and reimagined here as a musical narrative for children’s choir.

The work explores tensions between pride and humility, intelligence and brute strength, and smallness and greatness. Rather than a simple retelling, it is a reinterpretation that preserves Igbo oral tradition through choral composition.

The music and narrative together affirm the moral insight that greatness is not determined by size or power but by wisdom and resourcefulness (Nzewi, 2007).

The Story: The Tale of Nza and Obu
Within Igbo folklore, the story of Nza, a small but clever bird, and Obu, a large and powerful one, conveys profound lessons about pride, humility, and survival.

Copyright © 2025 The author retains the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.

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References

Echeruo, M. J. C. (1998). Music and meaning in African folklore. Ibadan: Spectrum Books.
Nketia, J. H. K. (1974). The music of Africa. New York: W. W. Norton.
Nzewi, M. (2007). African music: Theoretical content and creative continuum. Oldershausen: Institut für Didaktik populärer Musik.
Okafor, R. C. (2005). Music in Nigerian culture. Enugu: New Generation Books.
Omojola, B. (2012). Yoruba music in the twentieth century: Identity, agency, and performance practice. Rochester: University of Rochester Press.
Vatican Council II. (1963). Sacrosanctum Concilium (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy). Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana.

Author

Ezeibenne, Onyekachukwu Paul