The Eyo masquerade is one of the most popular masquerade in Lagos which is the Largest city in Nigeria, largest on the African soil, the most populous city and the financial capital.
The word Eyo means the costumed dancers, the masquerade are seen only during the Eyo festival.
It is attributed the honour as the masquerade with the most notable festival in Lagos.
The Eyo masquerade has different group coming together especially during the festival.
It has an hierarchy.
2.The Okanlaba Ekun (Alakeke pupa)
The Olapa Eyo , Orisa Oniko (Abara yewu Ogun
Onigemo
Eyo Orisa Ologede (Olugbami
5.Eyo Orisa Angered (Agere Mo lukun) respectively.
The masquerade are the heads of the different masquerade groups.
There are many masquerade festivals that holds in Nigeria each year but the Eyo masquerade festival is exceptional especially for the fact that it doesn't have to hold each year like the others or can even hold more than once a year.
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The Eyo masquerade festival holds during the demise of an Oba chief or eminent personality who has contributed immensely to the development of Lagos state (Nigeria).
The popularity of Eyo masquerade spreads across the world especially in Lagos Nigeria.
However, history has it that the Eyo masquerade festival has held for sometime in a single year it may hold for three times or four in 1903, 1906 and 1903 respectively and sometimes it may not hold for twenty one (21) years.
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The fact that all Eyo masquerade wears White Regalia does not mean all Eyo masquerade are the same the cap may be an identification symbol. The Eyo sticks that is used for the extension of blessings .
The Adimu Orisa according to Oral tradition from some popular Lagos chiefs can be traced to the popular Benin Empire (Nigeria).
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The different Orisa of Eyo masquerade performs different functions based on their uniqueness.
The Adimu Orisa is regarded is a head of the other Eyo masquerade.
The Eyo Adimu Orisa is also accountable to promote ultimate discipline amongst the Eyo groups during the Eyo festival.
The colour of the masquerade adorned in white and red with a staff like the rod of Moses and bare footed.
The celebration,the music, the beauty, the colour,and the gathering is still so amazing that everyone anticipate the Eyo Festival.
The Eyo is popularly known as the costumed dancer the Eyo is the kind of masquerade that comes out during the Eyo festival. The festival cannot be without the Eyo masquerade.
During the coronation of an Oba the different Eyo group always play a significant role in the coronation.
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