15 Memorable Enuani Proverbs from Prominent Ibusa Musicians

Compiled by Emeka Esogbue

Proverbs and sayings occupy a central place in Enuani music and dance, serving both artistic and social purposes. In Ibusa musical tradition, no performance is considered complete without the use of proverbs. They are the vessels through which the Ibusa musician conveys wisdom, moral instruction, and cultural philosophy.

These proverbs are not merely decorative; they are oral archives preserved in the memory of listeners and transmitted across generations. Each saying carries didactic depth, enriching the beauty of Egwu Igbuzo (Ibusa music) while provoking reflection and moral consciousness.

Ibusa musicians often use proverbs to praise virtue, warn against folly, or criticize societal injustice. One of the few who boldly used proverbial expressions as social criticism is Ogbogu Okonji, whose music challenges hypocrisy among ndi uka (churchgoers) and other social ills in Ibusa society.

Below are fourteen memorable Enuani proverbs drawn from the works of notable Ibusa musicians, living and past whose art continues to shape the moral rhythm of Anioma culture.

Selected Proverbs

1. “Onye na eli enu odia tulu onwe ndi iwe.”

(It does not take long before a person who makes progress begins to make enemies.)

Mr. John Nwanze Nwabuwa, Otu Ifechukwude Dancing Group of Ibusa

2. “Iyi wa kpor orji adia egbu orji.”

(The curse placed on the kola nut does not kill it.)

Mr. John Nwanze Nwabuwa

3. “Wa si ka wa gbue dike ka obodo ju lu oyi, wa egbue dike obodo enwulu oku.”

(They agreed to kill the warrior so that peace might return; they killed him, and the town was consumed by trouble.)

— Mada, backup singer, Otu Mbonsi Onyenwu Obulunjoa Dancing Group

4. “Onye na mea ogor ka ogor na edu.”

(It is the one who does good that goodness supports.)

— Dana Agility Okonji, Lead Vocalist, Otu Mbonsi Onyenwu Obulunjoa Dancing Group

5. “Aka di onye nma ya shili isi.”

(Rest your head wherever you find comfort.)

— Dana Agility Okonji, Leader, Otu Mbonsi Onyenwu Obulunjoa

6. “Amuluma amuluma odia ekwe okili akpor akpor.”

(Claiming to know too much prevents one from learning.)

— Bright Osadebe and His Melody Makers

7. “Onye na elolu uwa, uwa na elolue ozor.”

(When one thinks for the world, the world also thinks for him.)

— Bright Osadebe and His Melody Makers

8. “Ime nma ime li onwe.”

(When you do good, it is to your own benefit.)

— St. Michael Obanya

9. “Ashia bu onye mali ozua.”

(Trade is meant for those who understand its principles.)

— Etiti Okonji and Nwasi Nwasi Band

10. “Onye gbachi nkiti nwe ife ona elo na obie.”

(The silent one has something running in his mind.)

— Ogbogu Okonji and His Anioma Brothers Band

11. “Ngi ka olu abuhor uke.”

(That it is your turn does not make it a disaster.)

— Ogbogu Okonji and His Anioma Brothers Band

12. “Chijikeji wa dia ka lu ubosi.”

(If it is not yet night, the day is not condemned.)

— Uche Nwalama

13. “Okilikili wa kwu ukwu ose onye ni ga ali enu.”

(They gather around the pepper tree, but no one dares to climb it.)

— Uche Nwalama and His United Brothers

14. “Oweli ogwu nye nwaa ma na wa dia bu ogwu ana nmor.”

(He gave his child a charm, yet no one takes charms to the world beyond.)

— Okwute Nwawaja

15. Nwa nkenke enyi na chu igwe enyi osor (a small elephant that changes groups of elephants) -Eluemunor Diyoyo Okafor and His Anioma Musik Makers

Which of them do you find more memorable?

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