Subject

female masquerade

2 records filed under this subject

Agbeji Masquerade: The Unique Female Masquerade of Enugu-Ezike

The Agbeji Masquerade is a very special masquerade from the Enugu-Ezike community in Enugu State, Nigeria. It is unique because it is one of the few female masquerades in Igbo culture. Most Igbo masquerades are male and represent spirits, ancestors, or warriors. However, Agbeji is different. It is feminine, dances gracefully, and is known for…

Place Enugu-Ezike

The Female Ogbodo Enyi Masquerade of Nkaliki: A Unique Break in Igbo Masking Tradition

In West African masquerade traditions, the role of the masker is overwhelmingly male-dominated, with women largely excluded from direct participation. However, a remarkable deviation from this norm occurred in Nkaliki, an Izzi (northeastern Igbo) village group in present-day Ebonyi State, Nigeria. In 1975, the community oracle, Uke, instructed the women of Nkaliki to organize…