Eyan is an important musical instrument used for different purposes in KinNupe even in ancient times. Like in many other African cultures and traditions where it is used as a tool for traditional information dissemination which is still in use in some climes till date, drum is put use in KinNupe to herald the sighting of moon during the two Eid festivals; Eid l Fitr and Eid l Kabir and during naming and wedding ceremonies to accompany songs and musicals. There are also talking drums that are used to express opinions, praise traditionalists and chiefs or to entertain gatherings during any of the annual festivals.
Beyond all the glamour, eyan has had its value chain broaden as it’s been deployed as a tool for economic growth during farming seasons in KinNupe in the time past aside the fact that it is basically used in the local entertainment industry, so much that it could best be described as a farming tool as important as hoes, cutlasses and other farming tools. Once the summer (raining season) sets in, arrangements for the long farming season, especially pre-planting farm practice and other activities gets underway with farmers having busy schedule as work begins in earnest for the various youth groups who assembles themselves for the group farming.
In the group, there is a leader referred to as ‘SODE’ who takes the lead all the time and lose the right to lead the pack once his second in command, ‘GATTA’ beats him during the process of hoeing and other farming practices and GATTA becomes SODE. People from different villages support their brothers to win the title of SODE which further makes the EGBE farming practice more competitive and rewarding.
This practice of farming which is common among the youths in farming communities across KinNupe is referred to as EGBE where boys and young men of farming age group themselves according to their age group. The groups are always in the numbers between 20 and 50 of strong, agile and energetic youths. A day is usually scheduled for work on the farm for each member of the youth group with drums and drummers on the farmsteads beating drums to inspire the youth group who would be on the field showcasing their strength to their own delight. This process is repeated for all members of the group all through the farming season.
A man seeking a woman’s hand in marriage would usually mobilize his team to his would-be father’s plantation in-law; the group would ensure everything that has to do with work on the farmland is done to the satisfaction and admiration of their prospective in-law. This is a way of assuring his in-laws of his capability and to further confirm he is responsible enough to take good care of the woman he will be taking-in as wife. Through this, he automatically wins the bragging right and the wife becomes his.
In essence, the beating of drums serves as an inspiration to these groups of young farmers who are usually drawn from neighboring villages and other adjoining communities to form the “ENAN GBARUFUZHI”. All through the farming season, they would move from one farm to the other in group with drummers who are always on the beats to maintain the tempo and encourage them. With the help of “EYAN and EDZANZHI”, farmers are able to cultivate large expanse of land, make bumper harvest and good fortune out of the year’s farming as a result of the coming together of the youths to help one another to achieve a common goal.
EGBE in the past was competitive among the farming population in KinNupe which was largely constituted by the youths. It provoked the curiosity in youths to labor for self reliance thus militating against many of the identified social vices associated with the youths today. It has also contributed immensely to sustained food security across the value chain in KinNupe over the years as the youth groups leverage on the large number to cultivate large expanse of land which in turn contributes to the total yield at the end of the farming season.
This exposition is meant to appraise the economic importance of eyan beyond its use for local entertainment in KinNupe. We have a beautiful culture and a revival of these amazing values would put KinNupe on the map again.
Nupe Empire 