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Tag: Igbo masquerade

Embodied Spirits: Igbo Wood-Masked Dancers and the Cultural Significance of Masquerades in Ugwuoba, 1959

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…

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Cultural Convergence: The Aminikoro Mask and Ogbukele Festival in Igbo and Ijaw Traditions

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…

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Shared Cultural Similarities Between The Ogba and Oguta People

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…

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The Agbogho Mmuo Masquerade: A Symbol of Igbo Femininity, Beauty, and Spiritual Continuity

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

" 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,…

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Photographed by G. I. Jones, 1930s.

Ogaranya Masquerade: Symbol of Wealth, Power, and Prestige in Igbo Society

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…

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