Following the passing of Igbo highlife music icon, Elder Mike Ejeagha, many fans and cultural observers were surprised by the speed of his burial within 24 hours. However, the swift interment was not out of haste or secrecy—it was a deeply personal decision by the late legend himself.
In his own words, Mike Ejeagha had once said:
“When I die, do not take me to a mortuary, and do not embalm me. Dig a grave and bury me within 24 hours of my passing. At the family’s convenience, they may organize the traditional rites.”
The family of the beloved folklorist and musical storyteller chose to honour his final wish exactly as instructed—burying him promptly in accordance with his spiritual and cultural values.
The legendary musician, whose proverbs-laden songs preserved Igbo wisdom and oral tradition, passed away quietly and was laid to rest peacefully in his hometown in Enugu State, where he had lived much of his later life.
While traditional burial rites and public celebrations of his life are expected to follow in due time, the immediate burial was a mark of personal dignity and cultural authenticity, hallmarks that defined Ejeagha’s music and message.
Mike Ejeagha, aged 93, leaves behind a timeless musical legacy that continues to inspire generations of Igbo speakers and lovers of indigenous Nigerian music.
Photos At The Graveyard
