Lugulu Masquerade
Check out this video of Lugulu masquerades (along with the accompanying Ikpo, Oteru and Ogbuke Ajaba masquerades). The date of the video was undetermined at the time this post was published but appears to date back several years (possibly more than a decade). The full video includes comments from elders interviewed about the state of Afikpo culture.
In this video recorded January 17, 1993, hundreds of Okumkpo masquerades deliver group and solo performances of dance, drama and drumming. This is a classic example of authentic African masquerade dance and theater at its best!
The venue is the village of Amikpo in Ozizza, Afikpo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. The occasion is the re-enactment of a long-standing tradition of fielding a large number of Okumkpo masquerades in Afikpo every 15 years or so. The masquerades entertain as well as serve up social commentary that aims to expose unethical behavior in the community and to name and shame those found culpable.
The star performers are various members of the Okumkpo group of masquerades. The sub-groups of Okumkpo masquerades include Horii, Nnade Okumkpo, Otaka Ekpa and others. These sub-groups are distinguishable by the type of masks they wear and their style of dancing.
Some of the dance steps (as shown in this video clip) must be carefully synchronized to match exact step dance sequences in order to receive the applause of the spectators. The masquerade performers practice these steps for months in advance in order to perfect them.
Okwe-Ebu is a masquerade that accompanies other masquerades. This masquerade serves as both a mouthpiece for the masquerade it accompanies as well as a praise singer to those watching the masquerade display. The praise singing often results in audience members giving gifts of money or other items of value to Okwa-Ebu and/or the masquerade it accompanies.
Many more coming on my next post!!!