Oriental Brothers International Band

A lot had already been written about the Oriental Brothers International Band, a Highlife musical group that exploded on the Eastside entertaining guests at local pubs and playing gigs at notable events and other related ceremonies immediately after the catastrophic Biafran war.

I have paid attention to the classic tunes, especially Anam Ele Chi when one had begun to grow up, and rewinding that back, I have come to accept the fact Oriental Brothers this Eastside-based group should have been given more credit supposedly to have earned them some kind of international recognition with series of awards like the Grammy.

The band, originally founded by Godwin "Kabaka" Opara, Ferdinand "Dan Satch" Emeka Opara, Christogonous "Warrior" Ezebuiro Obinna, Nathaniel "Mangala" Ejiogu and the rest, all Owerre area boys except Warrior who hailed from Mbaise but had been needed to be part of the group because of his powerful lyrics echoing in Owerre dialect.

Tracks like Nwa Ada Di Nma, Chi Awu Otu, Iheoma, Nwanyi Di Ya Bu Eze blowed up overnight and was recited at every home in the Esatside during the so-called "reconstruction era." But sad though, as this elite group began to shake the foundations of showbiz, personal animosities and record deal failures as a result of normal internal problems that comes along with any recording group, the band split and most parted ways. With the split, Godwin "kabaka" Opara formed Kabaka International Guitar Band leaving the original Oriental Brothers with Dan Satch and Warrior.

The highlife music was king at the time and Oriental Brothers before the bitter split had brought life to every home in the Eastside with their refined music snatching Congolese beats and Owerre dialectic folklore. "Anam Ele Chi" is still my favorite and I do play it over and over again whenever in the mood for egwu Owerre.