The Igbo tribe in western africa with a region in eastern nigeria has an arguably one of the best cultural heritage in Africa,and today,I bring you the mighty Masquerade. "Ijele"

1. Studies have shown that the Ijele masquerade has its roots from the Akunechenyi dance group in Umuleri and Aguleri communities in Anambra State.

2. Available resources also show that the original idea was for the masquerade to drive away the early missionaries as well as celebrate royalty and greatness in Igboland.

3. It is regarded as the biggest masquerade in sub-Saharan Africa.

4. It stands at between 12ft-15ft.

5. It was listed in the UNESCO Archives as an intangible cultural element in need of urgent safeguarding.

6. It is believed that in the olden days, 45 other masquerades performed on top of the Ijele (signifying its kingship above all other eastern masquerades). These masquerades are represented today by 45 figurines on top of the Ijele.

7. It takes about a hundred men to put the Ijele costume in order.

8. It performs at the death of important people in the village, members of the Ijele family and during the death of the oldest person in the village.

9. It holds numerous significances. For instance, the fact that the Ijele can bow down to royalty and authority shows that no one is above ‘bowing’ down.

10. The Ijele MUST never touch the ground, if it does, it is considered dead and the carrier and his family can never bear the Ijele again.

11. A london museum under the house of UNESCO once estimated the "ijele" to generate roughly $20.5 billion dollars annually when displayed at the museum.

P.S: If revived and given an urban feel, could this be a theme for a major urban festival like crop over or something? Flavour imbibed it in his most recent album and it was cool and cultural all at once.


#Igbo-Amaka
#Viva-Africa
#Long-Live Nigerai

Cc. Lalasticala mynd44 oya FP material

Ijele on display in a London museum courtesy of UNESCO

Let the tribal war begin..

oga lia muhammed u saidu was going to create jobs thru masqurades,haffa naa