Thanks to a tip from reader/listener Zim Bida, I was able to score from Ebay an almost-mint copy of the elusive LP Igba na Egwu Ndi Biafra Ji na Anu Agha: Drums and Chants of Fighting Biafra by the Biafran Freedom Fighters (Afro Request SRLP 5030, ca. 1968), and for a very reasonable price!
Although I've been looking for this album for some time, I would have to say after listening to it that it is of more historical than musical interest. According to the liner notes, the "Biafran Freedom Fighters" are ". . .from the ranks of young soldiers who have adapted some old Ibo folklore, that are sung at the camp fires. In addition, they are performing present day war songs." The genre is what is considered "traditional" Igbo music for voice and percussion, or "Igbo Blues." These amateur musicians are not generally of the caliber of artistes like Bob Sir Merengue, Morocco Maduka or Area Scatter who have been featured in earlier posts here. Still, as another snapsot of the Biafran war of 1967-70, Igba na Egwu Ndi Biafra Ji na Anu Agha is well worth listening to. Enjoy!
Intro
"I Say You Don't Fear." Okwa imaregu. Ka ayin bawa egu. If you know no fear, then this is the time to prove it:
Biafran Freedom Fighters - Isikwa Inara Egwu
"The Goddess." Nmebo nwo ogara nye. Oyeri Ngwa. We know you are like a goddess, so we expect you to behave like one:
Biafran Freedom Fighters - Oyeri Mayo Ngwa
"Letting Down the Boss." Nye ka yo obusu ma ka no abubu kayo obubu ma. Mbebe nwo ogaranyi kayo bubuma. To let down your boss is really more than killing him:
Biafran Freedom Fighters - Mbebo Nwo Ogaranyi
"Bonny Creek." Tumbi Ibani a quo eruwe ru. Ibani Creek is a very long journey. Let us try our best and paddle hard to the journey's end:
Biafran Freedom Fighters - Tumbi Ibani
Biafran Freedom Fighters - The Nwatan War Drums
"The Colored Animal." Anu turu agwa gwa we eke. Ilema ayan nu zo a nuturu. Agwa gwa we ke. Be on your guard like a colored animal and adjust yourself to the surroundings:
Biafran Freedom Fighters - Anu Turu Agwa Gwa
"Mosquitoes Molest Me." Atita ekwemu ni hie urura nu lo de de. Despite the arduous journey, I cannot sleep because the mosquitoes molest me:
Biafran Freedom Fighters - Atita Ekemwu
"Beloved Biafra Land." Ayin ga do ala nna ayin Biafra. Let us defend our motherland Biafra to the last drop of our blood:
Biafran Freedom Fighters - Ala Biafra
"Elephant Crush." Eyin mba eyin. Use the elephant's strength to crush the enemy:
Biafran Freedom Fighters - Eyin Mba
"Tied Feet and Hands." Sometimes fear ties our feet and hands. So let's go forward resolutely with our leader:
Biafran Freedom Fighters - Aku Ne Ke Aka
"Fight to the End." Eke le ndu uwa lu o gu ka madu. This fight is a struggle to the end. We will win:
Biafran Freedom Fighters - Ekwele Ndu Uwa
"It's Time." Adama luru di na abali. Adama ni ogeru. After all this, it will be yime that Adama marries her fancy:
Biafran Freedom Fighters - Adama's Ogeru
Outro
The translations are from the liner notes of Igba na Egwu Ndi Biafra Ji na Anu Agha. To download it as a zipped file, go here.