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
Odinani, also known as Odinala, Omenala, Odinana, and Omenana (), is the traditional cultural belief and practice of the Igbo people of south east and Igbo people of south south Nigeria.Afulezy, Juj"On Odinani, the Igbo Religion", ''Niger Del ...
, the traditional religion of the
Igbo people
The Igbo people ( , ; also spelled Ibo" and historically also ''Iboe'', ''Ebo'', ''Eboe'',
/
/
''Eboans'', ''Heebo'';
natively ) are an ethnic group found in Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea. Their primary origin is fo ...
.
Life and career
Okoye was born in 1948
in
Arondizuogu in
Imo State
Imo () is a States of Nigeria, state in the South East (Nigeria), South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria, bordered to the north by Anambra State, Rivers State to the west and south, and Abia State to the east. It takes its name from the Imo R ...
.
He was a singer-songwriter in the Igbo
masquerade tradition.
[ His music was described as "oral rendition of rarefied Igbo history".][ He created more than 200 songs.][
Okoye was cultural prime minister of Arondizuogu until his death and was known as Mezuo Mbụ nke Arọndizuogu ('first of Arondizuogu')][ and Arụsị Makaja Mbụ ('first Makaji Arusi')][ or Arusi Makaja 1.][ After appearing with Pete Edochie in a Nollywood movie titled ''Lion of Africa'', he also came to be called by that name.][
]
Traditional practitioner
Okoye was also known as a practitioner of traditional Igbo religion and magic, Odinala.[ 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".][ His magic performances drew large audiences to the Ikeji festival in Arondizuogu.][ 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
Onitsha ( or simply ''Ọ̀nị̀chà'') is a city on the eastern bank of the Niger River, in Anambra State, Nigeria. Onitsha along with various cities and towns in southern Anambra State, northern Imo State and neighboring Delta State on the we ...
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.
Honours
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.[
]
Personal life and death
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.rapper
Rapping (also rhyming, flowing, spitting, emceeing, or MCing) is an artistic form of vocal delivery and emotive expression that incorporates "rhyme, rhythmic speech, and ommonlystreet vernacular". It is usually performed over a backing ...
who performs under the name Speed Darlington, said in July 2017 that Pericoma Okoye was also his father.[
]
Selected discography
*''Ejezuo''
*''Isi na udoh ga-adi'' (2 volumes)
*''Ekere Mgba''
*''High Tension''
*''Ikeji Izuogu''
*''Ute Nti''
*''Aja Egbu edi''
*''Irigworugwo''
*''Obodo Aghoka''
*''Igatakwuteya Aja''
*''Izu Ka Mma Na Nne Ji''
*''Nduka Aku''
*''Oderigwugwu''
*''Ogbaghara''
*''Awirigidi''
*''Zuzugboizugbo zugbo''[
]
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Okoye, Pericoma
1948 births
2017 deaths
20th-century Nigerian male singers
Igbo singer-songwriters
People from Imo State