₦airaland Forum

Emescot:
In my town,we have a masquerade called Oganigwe, it is said that no one has ever seen it except for initiates and it comes out at night too and mostly during burials of high classed chiefs, you cannot see it not to talk of snapping it, and it's vibrations shakes buildings from a very long distance, my father once told me how it ordered a palm tree to pursue a man hiding from it in the bush, and indeed it happened. I really miss all that

Are you from Ikenga?

Great posts. Thank you for sharing. Very rich culture.

chumaster:
Are you from Ikenga?

Yes Sir... Ezi village precisely, you know the masquerade?

Emescot:
Yes Sir... Ezi village precisely, you know the masquerade?

it is called Oganigwe. But I doubt if it is still active like before

chumaster:
it is called Oganigwe. But I doubt if it is still active like before

Oh okay, where in Ikenga are you from

Emescot:
Oh okay, where in Ikenga are you from

I have visited there twice on burial ocassions. The masquerades came there in the night. We were told not to peep from the window or else you die.

I was like, what is the essence of them performing when nobody should watch it.

This is Achukwu ekwulobia in Aguata

This picture looks alot like my village in aguata[/quote]

BrownRoofRep:
Come on bro, Adamma is a child masquerade, slightly above ulaga that should not be mentioned anywhere near Ijele.
Meanwhile, Ojionu is far better dancer than Adamma.

That said, Ayaka is the most respected Igbo masquerade but I believe it's mentioned here because it is not mainstream, can't be seen and won't perform in the public, only at night and in a very special occasions, usually once a year.

Ijele , Agaba which originated from Igba akwunechenyi , Okwomma/Odogwu agwu/Akataka/Ayaka/Ogbasu are some of my favourites.

By the way , Ijele is purely an Anambra masquerade, especially Nri/Awka areas, precisely. Southern parts of Anambra are not too familiar with Ijele and Agaba Iduu.

By the way , Umuoji featured the Agaba that brought glory to Anambra at the cultural festival at Abuja.

Shelloween:
In Igbo culture, the masquerade (Mmanwu) embodies the spirit and human worlds. The mystique surrounding the masquerade is one of the key components of the Igbo culture that survived Western influences,

It is generally believed in the Igboland that the masquerade is a spirit which springs from the soil. The masquerades are classified into categories based on specialization. Each masquerade possesses particular attributes (warrior-like prowess, mystical powers, youthfulness, and old age) and specializes in one or more skills (dancing skills, acrobatics, and other ritual manifestations).

Masquerading may involve one person team or a team made up of instrument players, vocalists, dancers, masquerade advisers, and the masquerade itself. Most masquerades are covered from head to toe with some piece of clothing or/and bamboo rafters, a wooden mask is worn over the face. The mask will vary depending on the type of masquerade and the place of origin within the Igboland. Some masks are designed to be beautiful, intimidating or downright sinister. Most masquerades claim to have some mystical powers and are constantly competing to see which one has the most mystical powers, whenever they appear together especially at village squares or funerals. The masquerade appears during traditional celebrations, funerals and festivals especially the new yam festival.

Below are the Top 25 Most Popular Igbo Masquerades

1. Ijele Masquerade

Ijele is a special and most popular Igbo masquerade and the largest mask system ever to enter the history of the world masking tradition. Ijele has its origin from the norther part of Igbo land (Anambra and Enugu State, Nigeria). known as the biggest Masquerade in Sub-Saharan Africa, Ijele was listed in the UNESCO Archives as an intangible cultural element in need of urgent safeguarding.

Ijele masquerade is the King of all Masquerades and as such has 45 different other masquerades perform on top of it in the olden days. Presently, the 45 masquerades are represented by the 45 figurines seen on top of Ijele. The myth and size of Ijele is wholesome as every aspect of life is depicted on Ijele. It is the climax of all masquerades hence performs alone and mostly last.

Hello... Permission to repost this on my website?...

DropsMic:
Hello... Permission to repost this on my website?...

Sure

Shelloween:
Sure

Thanks

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