African Before The Cities · English / Pidgin / Efik / Igbo
Shadows of the Mask
What moves behind the carved face — spirit, ancestor, or something older than both.
Lyrics
(Intro)
Eh eh…
Can you hear the drum?
From Calabar to the motherland…
Mask no be costume…
Na spirit…
Ekpe ooo… Ekpe ooo…
Ekóñ enye usung…
(The drum is speaking)
(Verse 1 — The Awakening)
Long before carnival lights and stage
Masquerade don dey from ancient age
Not for fashion, not for show
Na spirit of the ancestors wey people know
When the drumbeat enter the night
Village people know say power don rise
Mask cover face but truth still dey
Invisible world don come display
From Efik land to Ibibio ground
Sacred rhythm travel through the town
Ekpe voice command respect
Ancient wisdom nobody fit reject
Ekpe edi ekondo idem
(Ekpe is the strength of the people)
Mma ndụ nke nna nna anyi
(The living spirit of our ancestors)
(Pre-Chorus)
No be ordinary dance we dey see
Na memory of who we used to be
Every movement get hidden sign
Spirit and culture intertwined
(Chorus — Call & Response)
Lead: Spirit behind the mask!
Choir: Ekpe ooo! Ekpe ooo!
Lead: Dancing through the fire and smoke!
Choir: Spirit rise! Spirit rise!
Lead: Drum dey speak for the ancestors!
Choir: Hear the sound! Hear the sound!
Lead: Africa spirit never die!
Choir: Never die! Never die!
(Verse 2 — The Ekpe Society)
Leopard spirit walking slow
Mystery deep nobody fully know
Ekpe society guard the land
Justice and order inside their hand
When sacred drum begin to sound
Silence go cover the whole compound
Chiefs and elders gather near
Because spirit voice dey loud and clear
Not just dancing, not just play
Na law and wisdom guide the way
Initiation through many years
Building courage stronger than fear
Ukpong Ekpe enyene odudu
(The spirit of Ekpe carries authority)
Omenala bu ndụ
(Tradition is life)
(Chorus)
Lead: Spirit behind the mask!
Choir: Ekpe ooo! Ekpe ooo!
Lead: Keeper of the sacred fire!
Choir: Sacred fire! Sacred fire!
Lead: Rhythm calling through the night!
Choir: Feel the light! Feel the light!
(Verse 3 — Dance of the Ancestors)
Moonlight shining on raffia cloth
Body moving with spiritual force
Every step tell ancient story
Of survival, strength, and glory
Drum no just dey make sweet sound
Na language wey ancestors found
The beat dey speak without a word
Deep inside every soul e heard
Children watching with wide-open eyes
Learning culture before e dies
Because if roots disappear one day
People go lose their identity way
Nditọ Africa ọwọrọ ke ekóñ
(The children of Africa speak through the drum)
Usung edi uwem
(Culture is life)
(Bridge — 2:40–3:05)
Colonial wind try break the chain
Call tradition evil and pain
But spirit strong, e never fall
Africa memory survive them all
(Verse 4 — Modern Calabar Spirit)
Today carnival lights dey shine
Tourists gather from every side
But behind the colors and the dance
Ancient spirit still dey advance
Modern city, ancient soul
Same heartbeat still dey control
Masquerade still carry pride
Of a people who never hide
Every mask carry history
Every drumbeat carry mystery
From grandfather down to son
The spirit journey still dey run
(Final Chorus — Big Choir Explosion)
Lead: Spirit behind the mask!
Choir: Ekpe ooo! Ekpe ooo!
Lead: Voice of the ancestors!
Choir: Hear them now! Hear them now!
Lead: Spirit of Calabar rise!
Choir: Rise again! Rise again!
Lead: Africa never lose her soul!
Choir: Never lose! Never lose!
Lead: Ekpe spirit!
Choir: Guide the land!
Lead: Through the drumbeat!
Choir: We still stand!
(Outro — 3:40–4:00)
When the drum begin speak…
Listen carefully…
Behind every mask…
There is memory…
There is spirit…
There is Africa…
Na me be McEncomium…
Edemaya Son 🎤
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