While tuned in to Cross River Broadcasting Cooperation (CRBC) Radio, I was unexpectedly transported back in time by the unmistakable voice of Etubom Peter Effiom, one of the enduring icons of Efik musical heritage. His timeless track stirred something deep within me. In an instant, I was back in my formative years in Calabar, surrounded by the rhythms, stories, and spirit that defined our cultural upbringing. The music was more than nostalgic; it was a living thread connecting past to present, memory to identity.
Nguu Akpamara Mgbe
This moment of resonance led me to reflect on another towering figure of our musical tradition: the late Ntufam Ogar Mbuk. A contemporary of Etubom Peter Effiom, Ogar Mbuk was a revered custodian of Ejagham musical heritage, his voice, lyrics, and instrumentation capturing the essence of Ejagham communal values, oral histories, and spiritual expressions. His performances were not mere entertainment; they were sacred acts of cultural transmission.
Motivated by reverence and curiosity, I turned to the modern encyclopedia of our time, the Internet, to revisit the works of these two legends. A quick search for Peter Effiom yielded a wealth of material: videos, recordings, and tributes that attest to the enduring appreciation of his artistry. But when I searched for Ogar Mbuk, I was met with a deafening silence. Not a single track. Not a single video. Not even a brief mention in the digital domain.
This absence is more than an oversight; it is a cultural emergency.
Nearly eight years ago, my son observed that there was very little information about Ejagham culture online. His words, spoken in passing, now echo with greater urgency. The digital invisibility of one of our most iconic musical voices confirms a painful truth: we are at risk of losing vital fragments of our heritage to time and neglect.
This raises a sobering question: Are we prepared to let the legacy of Ntufam Ogar Mbuk fade into oblivion? Will we allow his contributions to be remembered only in the fading memories of those who once heard him sing?
Isra
Traditional music, especially that which flows from the hearts of cultural custodians like Ogar Mbuk, is not merely a form of artistic expression. It is a living archive. It encodes our values, our histories, our joys and sorrows. It is the soundtrack of our rituals, our festivals, our resistance, and our resilience. Through rhythm and melody, it teaches, heals, and unites. To lose such music is to lose a part of ourselves.
I count myself among the fortunate few who experienced the magic of Ogar Mbuk’s music firsthand. His voice carried the weight of generations, and his compositions were imbued with the wisdom of our ancestors. It is unthinkable that future generations might never hear his songs, never feel the pulse of Ejagham heritage through his melodies.
Other communities have taken bold steps to Document, Digitalise, and Disseminate their musical legacies, ensuring that their cultural treasures are not only preserved but celebrated. We must do the same. The time to act is now.
Let us honor the legacy of Ntufam Ogar Mbuk not only in word, but indeed. Let us locate surviving recordings, engage with his family and contemporaries, and work with cultural institutions, broadcasters, and digital platforms to ensure his music is preserved and made accessible. Let us document his life, his lyrics, his instruments, and his influence. Let us ensure that his voice continues to echo through time.
Ikip
To all who share this vision, cultural advocates, archivists, musicians, scholars, and community leaders, I extend an open invitation: Let us collaborate. If you have knowledge, recordings, resources, or ideas on how we might collectively preserve and promote the legacy of Ntufam Ogar Mbuk, I urge you to reach out. Together, we can ensure that the soul of Ejagham music is not only remembered but reborn.
Let us not mourn what is lost. Let us preserve what remains. Let us build what must endure.
Ntufam Engr. Chris Anom CEng, CMarEng, FIMarEST, FRINA
President, EjT
