His original name is Ikoli. He was born in Abonnema in the old Niger Delta in 1905. His parents were Munabo and Odibo.
He later adopted the name Harcourt Whyte and in 1919, he was diagnosed with leprosy.
Like the lepers of his time, he was ostracised.
In 1932, Harcourt Whyte was admitted in Uzuakoli Leprosy Hospital, Bende, now Abia State.
It was there, that he met doctor-reverend-musician T.F. Davey from England who sharpened his musical talent.
“Whyte was encouraged by Davey, who took him on village survey tours to collect various traditional sounds.”
“In 1949, after 34 years of ill health, Whyte was finally cured and discharged by Davey as “clean”.
“Whyte dedicated much of his life to the betterment and education of lepers.”
“He performed sacred compositions inspired by Methodist Church hymns and Wesleyan doctrinal philosophy.”
“His works attracted wide interest and were popular throughout the Igboland, eventually earning him the title of “father of Igbo church music”.
“His career saw him compose over 600 hymns and compositions in the Igbo language.” Prominent among them is Atula Egwu.
“He died in 1977 in a motor accident.”
Courtesy: Fada Angelo Unegbu