Ikoli Harcourt-Whyte was born in 1905 in Abonnema in the Niger delta of Nigeria to a family of the Kalabari tribe. His parents- Munabo and Odibo named him Ikoli, however he adopted the name Harcourt-Whyte later on in his life. He was trained by his parents in the vocations of the Kalabari people, fishing and trade and also was schooled in the traditional vocal traditions of the Kalabari.

He was disagnosed with Leprosy in 1919, at the age of 14 and was sent first to the Port Harcourt Hospital- the closest hospital to Abonnema- by his siblings and then to the Uzuakoli Leprosy Hospital in the East of Nigeria. In keeping with the practice at the time, he and other patients were kept in virtual seclusion since Albert Schweitzer's vaccine had not been developed by then. Its also important to point out that his beloved mother and father died in 1916 and 1919 respectively thus making him both an orphan and a victim of one of the most dreaded diseases of the time at a very young age.Substantial background about Harcourt-Whytes affliction with Leprosy is provided by the research of Hazel Mae Rotimi (wife of Ola Rotimi) and Achinivu Achinivu who wrote a PhD dissertation at the University of Berlin on the life and works of Harcourt Whyte- the symptoms of the disease were first noticed in 1918, and the symptoms aggravated very quickly until its full blown manifestation in 1919. Especially noteworthy was that In ancient lore, leprosy was considered a curse from the Gods and Lepers were banished, resulting in most committing suicide.

Harcourt-Whyte however sought a deeper meaning for his fate and conviction that his life had a greater purpose than his affliction and the attended stigma represented to him.

Whilst at the Leprosy hospital, he immersed himself in Biblical text and in particular developed a strong interest in the religious hymns sung in the Hospital chapel and was encouraged to join the choir by the English Missionaries who ran the hospital and soon became an important part of the choir, subsequently becoming its conductor. He was encouraged by the missionaries also to compose choral pieces in Igbo, which though not his native language was the language of expression at Uzuakoli of which he mastered.

Harcourt-Whyte wote over 200 choral pieces in his career, an incredible feat for a man with virtually no formal education. In 1949, upon Schweitzer's vaccine gaining widespread use, he was cured of Leprosy, upon which he dedicated the rest of his life to composing inspirational music and educating on the need for care of Leprosy patients.

His music incidentally became a source of comfort for Igbos during the Nigerian Civil war, especially the track Atulegwu. three of the most popular recordings of his work were namely two albums by the Choir of the Uzuakoli Leper Colony (comprising Leprosy patients) and conducted by the legendary Musicologist and poet- Nnamdi Olebara, whose haunting and powerful poetry and narrative make these two of the most important classical works ever recorded in Nigeria. The third being the album "A e na o" by the St Louis Missouri African Choir, the only readily available recorded version of his work. By the way the Choir was composed entirely of Americans.

Harcourt-Whyte died in 1977 in a motor accident, however his compositions gained huge global critical acclaim after his death and whilst not on the same scale as his contemporary Fela Sowande, however his work is immprtalised in the published research by Hazel Mae Rotimi (subsequent to a 23-year research), Achinivu Achinivu's work and Ola Rotimi's great play "Hopes of the living dead" which featured the music of Harcourt-Whyte.

At some of my most challenging times- especially when undergoing Chemotherapy last year, the music of Harcourt-Whyte was inspirational to me - especially the song "Atulegwu" (never fear), also his composition "Umu gi emebiwo uwa gi" (Oh God, your children have destroyed the beautiful world that you created..) is one of the most moving songs I have ever heard and has resonance with several themes of the beauty of this earth destroyed by man's greed, avarice, covetousness and individualism. It is important also that Harcourt-Whyte's ministration never included condemnation of other faiths but focused on the simple philosophy love, compassion and empathy for your fellow men. A smiple man, he never sought acclaim, money or fame, he believed his life had a purpose beyond the challenges he faced or merely acquiring material achievement. One of the greatest African's who ever lived, if you aske me.
By Ed keazor.

We should be celebrating such Nigerians that defied all odds, refused to be bitter and made history.


Mods pls fp.

Not only is he our own Handel, the circumstances he defied to achieve that was very challenging.

Yes o. I love his music. I love Harcourt white. He give me courage and he keeps me pushing forward against all odds. He is a remarkable man

Yes o. Our own version of GF Handel. I still played his CD as i drove my mum on a journey 2wks ago.

Who can forget:
-Atulegwu
- Bia nu Ndi enyim nile
- Onyiye Chukwu
-Nwo 'ge nta
-Ekele nna
-Umu gi e mebi wo
Etc

Playing his songs also reminds me of my Great Dad who passed on few months ago
He used to play Harcourt Whytes songs those days in the 1980s when we were preparing for Sunday Service

His songs are like those of Jim Reeves-Ever Green and Spiritually refreshing.

Mods pls do the needful. This is a front page material.

With over 200 compositions of hymns & philosophical songs against all leprous odds of his time, he is an inspiration to all.

Would it be too much to celebrate this unsung hero of Nigeria?

CC : lalasticlala
CC: seun

luvinhubby:
Would it be too much to celebrate this unsung hero of Nigeria?

CC : lalasticlala
CC: seun

This may never see the front page when itis nt Tonto Dikeh nor Tiwa Savage that we are celebrating.

For 2days just 34 views.
Jst me and d Op comenting. Most nairalanders are too young to recognise this great composer.

African Chorale maestro.
About the Front page issue; ......forget mediocrity. People who seek will find.

HaRcout white was a legend
I grew up hearing my mum sing those amazing songs of his like " chebe moo ,chebe Nwa gi. .
My mum use to tell me how the man gets loads of songs through dreams an grew up with the mindsets that angels cud minister songs to me in my dream an it has become a reality as I occasionally experience such
His sickness reminded me of the words of Christ. ."don't be afraid of those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul;indeed lep rosy killed hiss body but cud not touch the soul
The man lived and died in my village,today if I compare his songs with current gospel songs,I just shake my head

Icon4s:
Yes o. Our own version of GF Handel. I still played his CD as i drove my mum on a journey 2wks ago.

Who can forget:
-Atulegwu
- Bia nu Ndi enyim nile
- Onyiye Chukwu
-Nwo 'ge nta
-Ekele nna
-Umu gi e mebi wo
Etc

Playing his songs also reminds me of my Great Dad who passed on few months ago
He used to play Harcourt Whytes songs those days in the 1980s when we were preparing for Sunday Service

His songs are like those of Jim Reeves-Ever Green and Spiritually refreshing.

Mods pls do the needful. This is a front page material.

that "Nwa Oge nta was my mumsy favourite

My favourite is 'Amara gi zuru oke, odidi gi di ebube, uwa ga eji nsopuru na abia n'iru gi ndi nso'.

This was quite informative...

It is particularly funny that the only thing I'd previously known of Harcourt-White is that it is one of the names mentioned in Duncan Mighty's popular hit "Port Harcourt First Son"... and I don't even like Duncan Mighty.

I'll look up the songs.

Wow! how can i forget Harcourt Whyte. I grew up listening to him in our old turn table then. 'Chebe muo Chebe nwagi' always makes me sober and 'Atulegwu' gives me courage. The man was a genius

Learnt Tabansi records has a comprehensive album of all his hymns, can't wait to get one.

Oh my! Not because I am from the delta region, Harcourt Whyte was just a maestro in meditational gospel classics. RIP brother

luvinhubby:
Learnt Tabansi records has a comprehensive album of all his hymns, can't wait to get one.

Pls where you able to get a CD of his hymns? Have looked for but to no avail

I'm so happy seeing how well loved my grandfather was and still is. Thank you guys, this gives me inspiration

biharcourt:
I'm so happy seeing how well loved my grandfather was and still is. Thank you guys, this gives me inspiration

Is your dad Goddy Harcourt?

He used to be a presenter on NTA Enugu back then.

No, Godwin Harcourt is my uncle.

In 2013, My choral group - the Abuja Choral Ensembe - in collaboration with 4 other choirs staged a beautiful Concert of His songs here in Abuja under the auspices of Harcourt Whyte Foundation, led by Mazi Ugo Okorafor. I have a hard copy compilation of his compositions, courtesy of Prof Achinivu.

dom:
In 2013, My choral group in collaboration with 4 other choirs staged a beautiful Concert of His songs here in Abuja under the auspices of Harcourt Whyte Foundation, led by Mazi Ugo Okorafor. I have a hard copy compilation of his compositions, courtesy of Prof Achinivu.

Abeg pm me, i'd love a copy of it.

Thanks

dom:
In 2013, My choral group in collaboration with 4 other choirs staged a beautiful Concert of His songs here in Abuja under the auspices of Harcourt Whyte Foundation, led by Mazi Ugo Okorafor. I have a hard copy compilation of his compositions, courtesy of Prof Achinivu.

I will happily pay for a copy bro..

Baroba:


I will happily pay for a copy bro..

No problem. Do you have someone in Abuja to reach me?

World class music video directed & shot without spending money.
Lyrics was written in less than a week.
Track was recorded in about 1 hour.
Video was shot in a weekend.
LAWMA by @FUGEEBOI


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKvup953L38

@fugeeboi

Very inspiring lyrics.