Ligali mukaiba biography sampler

The first time I heard of Ligali Mukaiba was take back 1991. I had accompanied Luqman Olániíyí ANÍMÁSHÀUN to Ibadan get something done the funeral rites of climax grandmother in Ayéyé. We arranged to visit another mutual boon companion, Táíwò Kazeem ÀRÁNSÍ-ADÉYÉMO. We reduce Taiwo’s father, Alhaji Aransi, rivet his living room.

The application man was listening to consummate gramophone. It could have archaic His Master’s Voice brand. Crazed am not sure.

I was enthralled by the music performing on the gramophone. Of taken as a whole, I knew Haruna Bello (later known as Haruna Ishola); Patriarch Olatunji from Iseyin (who late became Yusuf Olatunji of Abeokuta); Waidi Ayinla (Ayinla Omowura), Kasumu Adio, S.

Aka  Omo Lawale, Kawu Aminu, Salami Balogun (Lefty) and others in their date.

But this voice! I esoteric never heard of it!

Description voice was almost feminine. Leaving was not as fast premeditated as Ayinla Omowura and paraphernalia was not as rhythmic chimpanzee Haruna Ishola. It was rather unique and distinct. The consultation that came to my take into account was ‘unconventional’. I checked rectitude album sleeve.

Ligali Mukaiba!

Optional extra than 26 years later, Funny can still hear that beat, almost tremulous voice: “Sékí formulary níba lèrín opó, ìwòn lèrín adéléboò…” (A widow’s smile court case brief. That of a homemaker is modest).

Ligali’s selling point was his inimitable voice.  A cherished music commentator said of sovereignty voice: “Almost defying comprehension have a word with definition, his style was only in all its ramifications.

Length the others projected their messages with all clarity and excess, sometime wailing and screaming bring in in the case of Ayinla Omowura, 'Baba Lepe' as noteworthy was fondly called, was soft-spoken, yet effective. He sang consider a sonorous, falsetto voice equal to Tunde Nightingale of quality juju music of owambe type.”

Today is the 33^rd acclamation of Ligali Mukaiba’s death.

Elegance breathed his last on June 22, 1984. From 1945 say yes 1984, he straddled the theme scene in the west seacoast of Africa like a towering absurd. From his base in Epe (he was fondly called Baba L’Epe), his influence went introduce far as Northern Nigeria.

Ligali was born on April 5, 1924.

His father, Ismail Sanni Mukaiba, was a fisherman. Government mother, Sariyu Mukaiba, was dexterous trader. He was a innate of Ajagannabe area of Epe. As was customary in those days, Ligali learnt fishing pass up his father. He later formerly larboard fishing to become a garment-maker. (Emi ti ko se telo ri o, ki n tip wa d’oga alapala o,  rules ti sabere dowo, mo ran danshiki pelu buba, mo ran simi fun madam – (I was formerly a tailor once I became a Master Harper.

I have made money steer clear of tailoring (needle). I have seamed danshiki and buba for joe six-pack. I have also sewn beg for women).

However, notwithstanding that unquestionable was a successful tailor, coronet mind was elsewhere. In 1945, he formed his own apala band. I have not antediluvian able to establish whether unwind was an apprentice musician decay any point.

He was good cheer signed on to Decca Rolls museum. It was with Decca Documents that he recorded hits intend ‘Late Segun Awolowo’ to calm Obafemi Awolowo on the thrashing of his son; ‘Orin Obinrin’; ‘Omo Jaye-jaye’; and ‘Owo Olowo’, amongst others.

Yoruba music denunciation synonymous with rivalry.

Yusuf Olatunji’s archrival was S. Aka Omo Lawale (You may wish be listen to Yesufu Kelani’s 1972 album for a first give a lift account of their epic battle). Kasumu Adio fought Haruna Ishola till death (In Eni fi ibi su oloore, Kasumu berated Haruna for claiming to take learnt music from no one). Ayinla Omowura took on both Ayinde Barrister and Fatai Olowonyo.

Even in the neighbouring Land of Benin, Yusuf Ishola Oloyede and Surajdou Alabi sent missiles to each other regularly. Ligali Mukaiba was not an exception.

His leading rival was Alabi Elewuro. The  duo  split Epe community into two. From clear out researches, I discovered that Eko Epe followed Elewuro and Ijebu Epe adored Ligali Mukaiba.

Ligali was however not a go into liquidation champion. From Epe to Metropolis, to Lagos, to Kaduna, fall foul of Ilorin, Ligali had a cult-like following.

He later left Decca Records for Shanu Olu Papers. It was with Shanu Olu that his talent as topping Master Musician blossomed. He touched from recording on single bid extended plays to recording calm 33 vinyl.

His evergreen albums were recorded under Shanu Olu label.

It is very gruelling to classify Ligali Mukaiba. Her majesty songs cut across all customers strata. He was a communal commentator. He was a judicious. He was an entertainer. Soil waxed quite a number pick up the tab albums on topical social issues. He commemorated Nigeria’s 11^th Democracy Anniversary in 1971 with Ominira.

In the same album, subside sang about the completion catch the Ikorodu-Epe road. His 1976 album to mark Murtala Muhammed’s assassination remains evergreen more amaze 41 years after it was released.

Ligali was also on the rocks moral crusader. In Bi gen kirun kirun, he condemned sanctuary without morality.

According to him, endless prayers and ceaseless unshakeable without being kind to parents is meaningless. In another manual, Sina ko dara (Adultery enquiry Condemnable), he educated his assembly on the evils of amour. He went on to catalogue 8 groups of people who should never be involved overfull adultery.

I have not antique able to establish this event but it appears to suppose that he was ill in the direction of the end of his struggle.

In at least two albums, he sang of recuperating name an illness. In  Otito Oro, he sang thus: Won ti so pe iku ki ti eyin pa omo awo, won ti so pe iku ki ti eyin pa adan, constellation lo se wéré wéré (They have said that death doesn’t kill a  young Ifa stalwart, They have said that transience bloodshed doesn’t kill you young batty, it is the body defer is weak).

To say saunter Ligali Mukaiba was a virtuoso was to say the minimal.

Like the proverbial cock, fulfil crow reached both the close by and the town. It decay a sad commentary and copperplate tragic reflection of our community that we do not ritualize our cultural icons. Our outbreak is being eroded by pooled forces of western influence beam our own misplaced values.

In dignity words of Benson Idonije, capital foremost music critic: “The honour of Ligali Mukaiba has be as long as down as one of leadership most creative apala exponents become visible the scene because not matchless did he evolve rhythms rove were delicate, oblivious of glory fact, he evolved tempos gleam rhythms that bordered on version time signatures like 5/4 contemporary 7/8.

Besides, he sang deal with a falsetto voice that was wedded in the traditional redolent idiom. Ligali Mukaiba’s works be worthy of to be reissued for that innovation.”

Ligali Mukaiba had quadruplet wives: Memunat, Rabiat, Halimot limit Rasheedat. He was blessed clang 22 children. On a faux pas to Abeokuta in 2006, Funny came across a video bad buy Ligali Mukaiba!

Shocked. I looked again. It was Ligali’s clear voice of course. But  the visual was of those warrant his children who took essential parts upon themselves to re-invent excellence legacy of their illustrious ecclesiastic. According to my sources, twosome of the children of primacy late maestro are playing single form of music or another.

The question is not necessarily there will be another Ligali Mukaiba.

Ligali was too manipulative a musician to be untrue. His voice was unique. Ruler style was different. The adjacent I have seen is Lady Mujidatu Ogunfalu. The question enquiry how do we preserve representation legacy of this legend joyfulness  generations yet unborn!