What is the role of the esoteric language of the ekwe, or the drum, in Things Fall Apart?

The ekwe is used
primarily as a method of long-distance communication, capable of reaching all nine villages at
once.opens with its distinctive sound, carrying a message from 's village:

Go-di-di-go-go-di-go. Di-go-go-di-go. It was the
ekwe talking to the clan. One of the things every man learned was the
language of the hollowed-out wooden instrument.

The first
thing everyone gathers is that the drum brings a message of death. They are naturally filled
with anxiety and strain their ears for more. It is accompanied by the wailing of women, but this
will only be heard within the village, whereas the ekwe will convey the
message to all nine villages and beyond.

The drum continues its message by
naming the clan, Umuofia, land of the brave. Then it names Okonkwo's village, Iguedo of the
yellow grinding-stone. Finally, it specifies the message. Ezeudu is dead. Ezeudu was a great man
in Umuofia, so his death concerns everyone, and they are all expected to go to his
funeral.

Although the most important role of the ekwe is
to communicate messages to the community using this esoteric language, it is also played along
with other instruments by musicians. , Okonkwo's father, would play his flute to the
accompaniment of "the blood-stirring and intricate rhythms of the ekwe."