The modernity of yesterday is the tradition of today, and the modernity of today will be tradition tomorrow. --Jose Andres
Few days ago, i had the opportunity to partake in one of Africa's top cultural event which was marked by a massive turn out of people numbering in their tens of thousands.
In Nigeria and Africa in general, cultural festivals abound to showcase the rich cultural heritage of our people. These cultural festivals have become annual events attracting tourists from all over the world, and are now tools for integration and peaceful coexistence.
One such festival is the annual Ekpé festival historically organized to mark the end of the farming season and the beginning of a new one.
Ekpé festival (or masquerade festival) is peculiar to Igbo people and it’s celebrated in the first or last month of the new year (December or January).
Ekpé should not be confused with Ekpē which is a secret society that is exclusive to men, and which is also called Okonko in many parts of Igboland.
The occasion has existed for a millennium and is generally a lively cultural festival that attracts people from in and outside the state. It is an important cultural event in the life of the people being the culmination of their Year rites. Its roots are deep in traditional religion and ritual.
The festival revolves around the masquerades called Ekpō, a spirit-man personality. The Ekpé plays a vital role in the social, political, economic, and religious sustenance of the community.
Ekpé is the same in Igboland with a slight difference in costume, dance step, routine, and cutting of live goat over the years. These Ekpe masquerades have existed from the primordial times to the present.
Every village is expected to have a masquerade or multiple masquerades. The youths particularly the males are essential in the success of the Ekpé festival. For the Ekpe masquerade, they'll need a strong and agile person to wear the masquerade which is quite heavy depending on the design. The youths also protect the masquerade referred to as ndi uke Ekpe (ekpe security). They ensured that the masquerade was able to perform.
In Igboland, the women folks are highly revered and are given the task of leading out the Ekpé activities with war songs and chants to motivate the Ekpō.
Masquerades (Ekpō)
The Nbará
The Nbará (or Masquerade abode) is usually constructed with palm fronds and all masquerade emerges from there dancing. This is a strictly no-go area, but outside the Nbará is considered the most fun place to be.
Some laws guide the Ekpé festival and Ekpó, tho includes
Strangers and visitors must not stay in the open by midnight because that's when the Okushmekpé (Chief masquerade or end of epké) will come out. The Okushmekpé is believed to be half-man and half spirit. Most people including indigenes may likely never see the Okushmekpé.
Pregnant women must not look at the masquerade or else the unborn child will behave like a masquerade or will grow up to be a masquerade except the pregnant woman receives a knock from a masquerade on her head.
Never laugh or jeer at a masquerade.
It is never a good idea to cross the path of a masquerade.
The apex of the festival is when the Okushmekpé (chief masquerade) beheads a goat with one blow of the cutlass.
With the advent of Christianity, most of the ritual practices in the Ekpé have been altered. Almost all the traditional beliefs and customs were at loggerheads with Christianity, usually resulting in periods of conflict and rivalry between indigenous culture and missionaries.
The missionaries had disdain for the people’s art, music, dancing, and even names. Nevertheless, despite the impact made by Christianity, Western education, urbanization, and technology, the Ekpé festivals afforded the people the opportunity to relax and have fun.
The Ekpé festivals still enjoy good patronage even from educated men and women, and those who profess the Christian faith.
With the stress of urban life resulting from socio-economic problems, the Ekpé festival allows people to relax, make merry, and connect with old friends.
Rainkeepers
Quite surprisingly, the rain fell early the next morning despite the fact that it has been gathering cloud the day before.
Hmmm culture the way of life.
I love seeing masquerades especially when its not pursuing people anyhow.
When I was a kid, the igbos in the middle belt usually organized masquerades during Christmas season and we will follow them wherever they went.
It was fun but they no longer bring them.
Thanks for sharing
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Yes its scary when the masquerade chase people. But its part of the fun. They are really harmless.
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Wow!!! What an enriching celebration it was. It is always a pleasure to see masquerades perform or just see them outside.
Seeing this pictures makes me want to visit your country next festival to enjoy it live. Our culture is something we should value and keep at all cost
Thanks for sharing this enriching experience
#twopercent #cameroon
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Perfect choice of words. I could not have said it better.
What cultural events are in your country?
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Wow I can't remember when last I attended such event and about the rain issue am still wondering how humanbeing will be controlling rain
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I never believed that anyone can control the rain until i saw it that day. Strange times we're in.
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