Nwachukwu Egbunike Delves into Ancestral Voices Through Poetry in Incantations
For Nwachukwu Egbunike, the author of the poetry collection Incantations, it has become essential to explore the powerful pull of ancestral voices and discover poetry as an invocation, a bridge, and a living fire. Speaking during his book presentation and conversations held at Alliance Francaise in Lagos recently, Egbunike observed that in African tradition, an incantation is far more than a simple chant.
Poetry as a Spiritual Dialogue
To Egbunike, incantation is poetry spoken to open doors between the living and the ancestors, the visible and the unseen realms. He describes the act of writing poems as a profound calling, where he carries ancient rhythms onto the page, skillfully blending beauty, ritual, and the heartbeat of everyday life. His poetic journey navigates through two distinct worlds, deeply shaped by his Catholic faith and rich Igbo heritage.
Egbunike explained that some of his poems carry the weight of grief, where silence echoes with the presence of those who have passed into memory, while others celebrate the joy of being alive, reminding readers of how fragile and precious each moment truly is. He emphasized, "the gods are not silent. Like the Christian God, they are also forgiving. When an incantation is invoked, it's like a conversation between the living and the dead. And it is not just any conversation; they are made to appease the gods."
Influence of Incantatory Lines in Music
He further noted that some Christian gospel musicians, such as the late Osinachi and Tope Alabi, also embrace incantatory lines in their songs, highlighting the cross-cultural and spiritual resonance of this tradition. Additionally, Egbunike pointed out that there are poems in his collection that awaken the voice of conscience, described as a light that may flicker but never dies out, offering moral and reflective insights.
Transforming Oral Tradition into Written Verse
Speaking further, Egbunike described Incantations as a bold and tender experiment that transforms oral tradition into written verse, inviting readers to listen closely to the nuanced layers of sound and meaning. A renowned digital scholar and prolific writer, Egbunike is also the author of two other poetry collections, Blazing Moon and Nka!, released in 2015 and 2021 respectively. Both collections have been shortlisted for the prestigious Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Prize for Poetry, underscoring his literary acclaim.
As a Senior Lecturer at the School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, Egbunike's poetry is characterized by metaphysical depth, cultural resonance, and penetrating imagery, making his work a significant contribution to contemporary African literature.
