Small group of Igbo wood-masked dancers in various raffia and leaf costumes, Ugwuoba village, Nigeria.' Simon Ottenberg, 1959. Smithsonian.
In 1959, anthropologist Simon Ottenberg documented a small group of Igbo wood-masked dancers in Ugwuoba village, Nigeria. These dancers wore elaborate costumes made of raffia and leaves, which are traditional materials commonly used in masquerades across various…
Aminikoro mask Ogbukele festival, Ekpafia Igbo - G.I. Jones, 1930s
The Aminikoro Mask and the Ogbukele Festival are cultural elements primarily associated with the Ijaw people, The Ekpeye "Ekpafia,” which is an Igboid group seems to have borrowed the masquerade display and culture.
This is suggesting an overlap or connection between the Ijaw and Igbo people, especially…
Owu mask, Ugwuta (Oguta) area, 1940s. Photo via Sabine Jell-Bahlsen.
The Ogba people of Rivers State and the Oguta people of Imo State also known as the “Riverine Igbo”.
(Oru/Olu) which they call themselves and share several cultural similarities rooted in their geographical proximity within the Niger Delta region and their historical ties to the broader Igbo…
Nwaotam Masquerade Play at Akirika Ukwu-Ndoki in 2021, Photographed by Ndoki Nmanma Nu Media Crew
WHO ARE THE OTTAM/OTAM PEOPLE?
The Ndoki people, before the popularization of the Name Ndoki were known as "Otam/Ottam" people. This was recorded in Captain Crow's Map and on the Dialect Mapping done by Rev. John Clarke in 1848 in …
Agaba mask from Achala, 1946. Photo: William Fagg. British Museum. Coloured by Úkpúrú 2017.
The Agaba Masquerade is one of the most revered and powerful masquerades in Igbo culture, known for its fierce appearance and significant spiritual and social roles. It is prevalent in several Igbo-speaking regions, particularly in Anambra, Enugu, and parts of Delta State,…
Ekpo Masquerade dance in display at Ubakala, Umuahia, Abia State. In a small Igbo village, the annual Ekpo masquerade was held to honor the ancestors. Amadi, a young man, was chosen for the first time to wear the Ekpo Nkak mask, symbolizing the spirit of vengeance.
it is a profound spiritual ceremony that connects the living…
Small boys masquerade in Ovim Village, Isu Ikwa Ato [Isuikwuato]." - G. I. Jones, 1930s.In Ovim village of Isuikwuato, small boys masquerades play an important role in local festivals and cultural events. These masquerades allow young boys to participate in the vibrant masquerade tradition of the Igbo people, helping to instill cultural values and a…
Photos of Agbogho Mmuo (maiden spirit) maskers, early 1900s taken by Northcote Thomas.
The Agbogho Mmuo masquerade is a revered Igbo cultural tradition honoring the spirits of deceased maidens. Performed by men, this masquerade embodies youthful beauty, grace, and purity. Northcote Thomas's early 20th-century photographs provide valuable insights into this captivating tradition.
Agbogho Mmuo represents:
1. Idealized femininity:…
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Obiri Jack mask (close-up) Ogbukele festival, Ekpeye Igbo
". Photographed by G.I. Jones, 1930s
The Obiri Jack mask is an integral part of the Ogbukele festival, particularly celebrated by the people of Ekpafia (Ekpeye) in the Riverine Igbo region of Nigeria.
This mask, often intricately crafted, serves spiritual and cultural purposes during the Ogbukele festival, which involves rituals,…
Photographed by G. I. Jones, 1930s.
The "Ogaranya masquerade" in Igboland symbolises wealth, power, and prestige, often associated with the aristocratic class in traditional Igbo society. "Ogaranya" itself translates to "wealthy person" or "noble" in the Igbo language. This masquerade is not just a form of entertainment. Still, it serves as a cultural expression of status…