I remember these well well and miss it too

It is exactly 50 years since I was last in Umuahia and, specifically, Ahiaeke, where as a child I lived from 3 years in the early 1960s. During my stay, we used to trek to Olokoro to buy palm wine. Our route took us through where Government College , Umuahia, was located, I believe that was in Umudike. One might wonder why we went all the way from Ahiaeke to Olokoro for palm wine, and I did wonder why at that time also, but I later learned that Olokoro palms produced some of the best tasting palm wines in all of Umudike if not in all of Umuahia. If anyone is familiar with the village of Ahiaeke, which had a very good elementary school and also a Seminary in the 1960's, I would love to hear about their comments.

I would also like to hear about Umuana, in Umuahia North Local Government Area . I mention Umuana because during the New Yam Festival, the Village of Umuana used to put up an Epke dance that was both fascinating as well as chillingly frightening, at least to the eyes and mental acuity of a child. This Ekpe dance culminated in the masquerade slicing off the head of a large goat with one single strike of sharp machete that, legend has it, has been sharpened for 7 days to the day of the event and to such and edge that it can take off one's finger were one stupid enough to test its sharpness. I only witnessed to this event just once, but the memory has been seared on my consciousness ever since. I have searched and searched for the music that was played during this event: it has stuck with me for more than 50 years. If anyone is familiar with this Ekpe event in the Village of Umuana, I would be most appreciative to hear from them. This is an incredible Forum: I am very happy to have accidentally happened upon it today.

^^oh yes i agree with you. some of these SPiritual ceremonies can be very frightening. i myself have experienced some strange things. but it is the awe of it. truly inspiring.

These mmanwu are soooo scary. From childhood up until now, I can not be caught in the same vicinity as them.

Akhenaten: Ogbodo Enyi dancer with participating viewers, Enyigba Izzi, 1983

Look at women dancing with masqurade....these people has defiled Igbo culture!

ijele masquerade

adamma

ugly

Our heritage will never die

ifyalways:
Pictures of Aji busu. Im guessing the name aji busu was coined from the puss.ycat-like furs/rafters on their costume 
Evidently,Its a small masquerade .

please can you educate me on the masquerade as portrayed by the rich culture of the Igbos. I'm from Delta.

Sojourner09:
It is exactly 50 years since I was last in Umuahia and, specifically, Ahiaeke, where as a child I lived from 3 years in the early 1960s. During my stay, we used to trek to Olokoro to buy palm wine. Our route took us through where Government College , Umuahia, was located, I believe that was in Umudike. One might wonder why we went all the way from Ahiaeke to Olokoro for palm wine, and I did wonder why at that time also, but I later learned that Olokoro palms produced some of the best tasting palm wines in all of Umudike if not in all of Umuahia. If anyone is familiar with the village of Ahiaeke, which had a very good elementary school and also a Seminary in the 1960's, I would love to hear about their comments.

I would also like to hear about Umuana, in Umuahia North Local Government Area . I mention Umuana because during the New Yam Festival, the Village of Umuana used to put up an Epke dance that was both fascinating as well as chillingly frightening, at least to the eyes and mental acuity of a child. This Ekpe dance culminated in the masquerade slicing off the head of a large goat with one single strike of sharp machete that, legend has it, has been sharpened for 7 days to the day of the event and to such and edge that it can take off one's finger were one stupid enough to test its sharpness. I only witnessed to this event just once, but the memory has been seared on my consciousness ever since. I have searched and searched for the music that was played during this event: it has stuck with me for more than 50 years. If anyone is familiar with this Ekpe event in the Village of Umuana, I would be most appreciative to hear from them. This is an incredible Forum: I am very happy to have accidentally happened upon it today.

wow!

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