ADAKU, ONYE AJOOBI (Adaku, The Wicked) [AKIKO EGWU]

"Adaku, Onye Ajoobi" (Adaku, The Wicked) is a captivating Igbo folk musical drama (Akiko Egwu) composed by Eze Chris. It tells a moral story through a dynamic blend of spoken dialogue and choral singing, making it an excellent choice for a concert, cultural presentation, or special choir arrangement.

The piece unfolds the tale of King Okorafor of Amarigumo and his two wives, Obidiya and the beautiful but wicked Adaku. Through the engaging narration of the Storyteller and the responses of the People (the choir), the drama explores themes of character, kindness, and the consequences of one's actions. The choir acts as a Greek chorus, reacting to the unfolding events with rhythmic chants like "Tumangwe" and moral reflections on Adaku's bad behavior.

Choirs performing this piece bring a rich theatrical experience to their audience. The interplay between the soloists acting out the roles and the choir providing the musical backdrop makes it a deeply immersive cultural storytelling experience. It reminds listeners of the old proverb sung at the end: "Mkpur' onye kuru n'uwa, k'o g'aa-woro" (What you sow in this world, you shall reap).