Hello Nairalanders. Of late, I have been seeing some members create topics based on induction into their village age-grade and others post on other cultural activities like new-yam festival or masquerade festival. Such posts gladden my heart to read for I am a lover of African culture and nature; the pictures in the posts also show how beautiful and rich our diverse cultures in Nigeria are.

The only problem I have with those posts is that most data they provided were pictorial. Now, the pictures were beautiful I won’t deny; but art itself also encompasses music/poetry, dance/choreography etc.

I decided to create this topic to share some random amateur masquerade footages I have gotten over the years to help viewers have a feel on not only the pictorial view of an average masquerade festival; in my own case, in Igbo Land.

The mystique surrounding masquerades is one key African/Igbo cultural component that survived western influence. In Igbo land, it is generally believed that masquerades are spirits which spring from the soil, precisely, ant hills.

Though masquerade festival is observed everywhere in Igboland, the celebration and masquerades differ from community to community. Udi (Enugu state) which is where I am from has produced so many great masquerades which have their various functions and prestige within their individual community. Masquerades found in Udi include and not limited to Igaa, Ishi aziza and Inyi-agba-oku.

For example, Inyi-agba-oku masquerade is a wise masquerade and is known for “Igbuevu” which means speaking in proverbs and parables (through musical performances), to the awe and applauds from the audience.

Growing up, I used to watch Eyo masquerade of Lagos and kwagh-hir theatrical performers from Benue state (loved watching it on NTA that year) and Ada-Mmonwu masquerades to mention a few.

Please, I would love anyone of you viewers to also help in posting videos of masquerades of their own cultures; for I don’t intend this to be an Igbo only affair. Thank You.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RldJs5i3MQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FWiitMLlqI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3nlPjQxTJU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8UGLEnt4gU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njiyPUVHmCA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b0y9OMQpfc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7Ej1PvtOoc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTBcYBwBZnI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZdhGSjTuFE&t=22s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmHVh-Fyofo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceb3mCsu3yk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_FQ6Y2evTs


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgO886F5piU


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZrJ_UO86eI


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ds5_sk_iy4


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGeWAOklF-E


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex__6LcJr8E


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3BtwwiOQ-M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vFPgAZN9Jg


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex__6LcJr8E


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK8vHw6Cj8g


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3SfRRFvVaI

Chai.... I am always excited when masquerade festival in my village is fast approaching.... Indeed culture is sweet