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10 Facts You Do Not Know About The ‘ijele Masquerade’ - Culture - Nairaland

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10 Facts You Do Not Know About The ‘ijele Masquerade’ by Nobody: 1:15pm On Sep 13, 2018
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.

With our diverse culture and tribe,we can live in peace,SHUN tribalism TODAY
HATE- is a crime among humanities.



LongliveIgbo
LongliveYoruba
LongliveHausa/Fulani
LongliveOtherTribes

#Viva-Africa
#Uhuru

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Re: 10 Facts You Do Not Know About The ‘ijele Masquerade’ by Nobody: 1:17pm On Sep 13, 2018
The ijele on display in an American museum

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Re: 10 Facts You Do Not Know About The ‘ijele Masquerade’ by kagari: 4:40pm On Sep 13, 2018
wow, front page material.

our culture our heritage

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Re: 10 Facts You Do Not Know About The ‘ijele Masquerade’ by cocaineaddict(m): 5:25pm On Sep 13, 2018
COME SEE AS WHITE MEN TEAR RACE THE DAY FLAVOUR BROUGHT THIS GIANT BEAST ON STAGE FOR THE GLO CAF AWARDS 2017. ULAGA IS ANOTHER BLOODY MASQUERADE. GOD BLESS ALA IGBO
GOD BLESS BIAFRA
GOD BLESS NNAMDI KANU
GOD BLESS FEMI FANI KAYODE
GOD BLESS AYO PETER FAYOSE.
GOD BLESS COCAINEADDICT.

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Re: 10 Facts You Do Not Know About The ‘ijele Masquerade’ by frankfrancis871: 5:51pm On Sep 13, 2018
Igbo is great

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Re: 10 Facts You Do Not Know About The ‘ijele Masquerade’ by TheIjeleNwa: 10:17pm On Sep 14, 2018
Wow odumchi bigfrancis21 fulaman198 lalasticlala this is a front page masterpiece

Move to fp

Godbless our heritage
Re: 10 Facts You Do Not Know About The ‘ijele Masquerade’ by TheIjeleNwa: 10:20pm On Sep 14, 2018
cocaineaddict:
COME SEE AS WHITE MEN TEAR RACE THE DAY FLAVOUR BROUGHT THIS GIANT BEAST ON STAGE FOR THE GLO CAF AWARDS 2017. ULAGA IS ANOTHER BLOODY MASQUERADE. GOD BLESS ALA IGBO
GOD BLESS BIAFRA
GOD BLESS NNAMDI KANU
GOD BLESS FEMI FANI KAYODE
GOD BLESS AYO PETER FAYOSE.
GOD BLESS COCAINEADDICT.
iseeee!!!!!
Re: 10 Facts You Do Not Know About The ‘ijele Masquerade’ by Nobody: 6:18pm On Sep 16, 2018
cocaineaddict:
COME SEE AS WHITE MEN TEAR RACE THE DAY FLAVOUR BROUGHT THIS GIANT BEAST ON STAGE FOR THE GLO CAF AWARDS 2017. ULAGA IS ANOTHER BLOODY MASQUERADE. GOD BLESS ALA IGBO
GOD BLESS BIAFRA
GOD BLESS NNAMDI KANU
GOD BLESS FEMI FANI KAYODE
GOD BLESS AYO PETER FAYOSE.
GOD BLESS COCAINEADDICT.

Really? I would love to watch the video

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