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Tag: Igbo masquerade

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Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory ⁠Religion and Spirituality

Igodo Festival of Abor, Enugu State: A Celebration of Igbo Heritage

Igodo masquerades in Abor, Udi LGA, Enugu State. Photographed by BIGJo.   The Igodo Festival is one of the most vibrant and culturally significant celebrations in Abor, a town in Udi LGA in Enugu State, Nigeria. This annual festival is deeply rooted in the traditions and spiritual beliefs of the Abor people, serving as a time for…
February 28, 20250Comments

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Cultural Heritage Historical Studies

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

A woman in this picture is one of the women maskers of Nkaliki shot by Herbert Cole in 1983 dancing an Ogbodo Enyi mask amidst her female supporters.   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…
February 25, 20250Comments

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Cultural Heritage ⁠Religion and Spirituality

Odo Nwagbogho: A Unique Female Ancestral Masquerade in Aku, Nsukka

Odo Nwagbogho, the only female Odo in Aku, Nsukka.   Masquerades are a central part of Igbo spirituality, serving as mediums through which ancestral spirits interact with the living. Among these, the Odo masquerade tradition in northern Igboland, specifically in Aku in the Ojebe-Ogene and Nsukka area is a profound ritual that allows deceased elders to return…
February 20, 20250Comments

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Anthropology and Ethnography Cultural Heritage Photos

Igbo Masquerades as Colonial Satire: The Ghost Policemen and Oyibo Masks

Igbo ghost policemen masks, representing symbols of colonial authority, were part of the same masquerade performance as the Oyibo or Onye Ocha mask from Amobia (Amawbia), previously mentioned. Captured by G. I. Jones in the 1930s. MAA Cambridge.   Masquerades hold a central place in Igbo cultural and spiritual traditions, often serving as a means of social…
February 15, 20250Comments

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Anthropology and Ethnography Cultural Heritage Photos

The Okonko Masquerade: A Cultural Pillar of the Southeastern Igbo Communities

Ọ̀kọ̀nkọ̀ masks at Umuowa in the central-Igbo area (Imo) on the cover of African Arts. Photographed by Eli Bentor, March 1988. The Okonko masquerade is a central cultural and social institution among the Southeastern Igbo people of Nigeria, particularly in the Umuahia area of Abia State. It is a vital expression of the Ekpe society, a…
December 19, 20240Comments

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Anthropology and Ethnography Cultural Heritage Photos

The Cultural and Symbolic Significance of Igbo Masquerades Masquerades are a cornerstone of Igbos

"Mgbedike or Agu neche Enyi (leopard/elephant) [close-up], Nimo". Photo by G. I. Jones, 1930s. Colourized by Ozi Ikoro 2024.Masquerades are a cornerstone of Igbo culture, representing complex interplays between humanity, the natural world and societal structures. Photographed by G. I. Jones in the 1930s, these artistic expressions capture the diversity and depth of Igbo spirituality…
December 8, 20240Comments

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Cultural Heritage

Mgbedike Masquerade: Origins, Cultural Significance, and Traditions of a Revered Igbo Heritage

Introduction The Mgbedike masquerade is a prominent cultural performance in Igbo land, particularly in the southeastern region of Nigeria. Known for its striking costumes, powerful dances, and symbolic meanings, Mgbedike translates to “Time of the Brave” or “The Brave One Has Landed.” This masquerade embodies themes of courage, justice, and social order, reflecting the values…
November 27, 20240Comments

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Anthropology and Ethnography Cultural Heritage

The Okumkpa Igbo Masquerade of Afikpo: A Cultural Expression of the Igbo People

Musicians and chorus at the Okumkpa performance, Mgbom village, Afikpo Village-Group (Cross River Igbo area), Nigeria, 1959-1960. Photo: Simon Ottenberg. The Igbo people of Nigeria are known for their rich cultural heritage, and one of the most captivating aspects of this heritage is their masquerade traditions. In Afikpo, a town in southeastern Nigeria, the Okumkpa masquerade…
November 13, 20240Comments

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