All Igbo Masquerades Names Listed And Described.
It is not an Igbo festival if a masquerade is not in sight. The Mmanwu as it is called is believed to be an embodiment of the spirit and human worlds, hence the name. The word Mmanwu in Igbo means spirits of the dead, It is the combination of two Igbo words mmuo or maa which means spirit, and onwu which means death.
The Igbo traditional masquerade is believed to be a spirit that comes from a tree or the ground, and only the male folks are culturally entitled to have any sort of interaction with it. Not all males though, just the ones who belong to the masquerade secret society. The masquerading crew comprises instrument players, vocalists, advisers, sometimes dancers, and the masquerade itself.
There are different categories of masquerades that are meant to serve various purposes in the community. Each masquerade possesses particular attributes (warrior-like prowess, or mystical powers, or youthfulness, or feminine beauty, or old age) and specializes in one or more skills (dancing skills, acrobatics, and other ritual manifestations).
Some masquerades are meant to be only heard, it is forbidden for any human to see them. There are dire consequences for anyone who comes face to face with such mmanwu, the penalty can be as severe as death. These masquerades move under the cover of the darkness and they mostly serve as regulatory or a punishment medium.
Each masquerades costume is unique and different. They 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 varies depending on the type of masquerade and the place of origin within 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 powers, whenever they appear together especially at village squares or funerals.
Here are all the masquerades we can lay our hands on in Igboland. Just follow us as we are going to view them one after the other. But our first in the list is "Ijele masquerade"
1. Ijele Masquerade
Ijele bu nnukwu mmanwu, mmanwu ndi ozo na akwanyere ugwu best describes the status of this distinct masquerade. The biggest masquerade in the whole of Sub-Sahara Africa, it is commonly said that once the Ijele masquerade steps into the square other masquerades disappear.
The Ijele, according to studies has its roots in the Akunechenyi dance group in Umuleri and Aguleri communities in Anambra State. Some argue that its origin is Enugu State.
Ijele was listed in the UNESCO Archives as an intangible cultural element in need of urgent safeguarding.
The status of Ijele as the king of other masquerades has never been in question. During the old Igbo times, up to 45 other masquerades perform on top of the Ijele. The Ijele can carry other masquerades on top of its elaborate costume, with ease. How you can not take the King away from him?
Presently, the 45 masquerades are represented by the 45 figurines seen on top of Ijele. The myths and size of Ijele are wholesome as every aspect of life is depicted on Ijele. It is the climax of all masquerades hence performs alone and mostly lastly.
It is said that it takes about a hundred men to put together its colorful, vibrant costume over a course of months.
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