Funmi Omo Dafidi, the Ikale High Life Crooner and Asiko Exponential musician has dropped another banging track; Emoma!
Opening with a beautiful serenade of trumpeting, the horns humming talking sounds, one would love to take some dancing steps.
Emoma! Emoma o!!
Emoma yoa gbene neyin ola
Two quick women rattled my smiling mind as I listened to Funmi’s lyricizing of this popular Ikale adage; Comfort Omoge and Iye Majority. Funmi’s voicing has flowing streams that reminds one of the late Asiko Legend, Comfort Omoge. Repeating “Emoma” twice doubling the beats makes the song easier. The word sinks. For it means we do not know the child . We do not know that particular child that would take charge when one grow so old.
The sociology of the family in today’s Nigeria puts the family as the main dependent ally of the individual. Citizens depend on their parents to grow, school, and even get jobs. This is much unlike the early Nigeria where social welfare is the hallmark of the government and the parents do not so much on education, health care, and employment. Parents do not go the excessive worries of paying rent once there is social mortgage and mass housing.
Emoma reminds me of Iye Majority’s popular saying that “oma buuku nojo tie!” Morality is a benchmark of the society and some kids are seen as troublesome, dull, or even violent. But the Ikale social cosmology believes that all children have their good and bad days. The violent child might become so useful the day the family is attacked by external forces. I remember when my mum who we all call Iye Majority had a clash with one of her business partners. The woman came to forment violence in our house, and was accompanied by one of the “strong guys” in her area. But once the guy saw the trio of myself, Wande and Moyo with our red eyes, he had to become a peacemaker 🤣. So, truly, Emoma!
Emoma as sung by Funmi Omo Dafidi does justice to the fact that children cannot be judged from their early beginnings. So, all must be treated as equal. There should not be a preferred child, or “Daddy’s pet” and “Mummy’ Favourite.” The import of life is that even adopted kids could become the greatest. We have seen examples of kids who have been orphaned from childhood, and still become greats.
This piece salutes Funmi’s musical heights. Musicians should build into the depth of society’s sociological and class perspectives. Music does not make sense if does not affect the lives of those who dance to it’s sweet beats. This is why “Emoma” is a must followed for all lovers of good music. Funmi’s cute blend of Asiko, and the thematic perception of social parenting in Ikale, and indeed global sociology of the family; is a rhythmic leap in classical musicals!
