Hello everyone, I am happy to share this amazing painting with you. This painting shows the beautiful culture of the Ehugbo people in Afikpo, Ebonyi state, Nigeria.
In the painting, I immersed myself in the creative process of depicting the fine and significant costumes worn by the masquerade.
Title: Otughu Ochie
Medium: Oil on canvas
Size: 2x3 ft
Year: 2023
Artist: Eze Joseph ( @artist-freepae )
Otughu mgbe-ichie or Otughu Ochie is a very fine masquerade as I see it, it is categorized under the Lugulu masquerade group. He wears a carved mask that resembles the face of Adaka (Monkey). The white feather which is obtained from a fowl is called Obeke/Ukpara Okuku and is used to cover the side of the mask well.The brown feathers serve as a cap and it is called Okpu Ebuba (cap made of feathers) and is normally gotten from Ducks, Turkeys, Fowls or Eagles.
He uses an old palm fronds (ire nkwu ochie) and wears a sweater for cold prevention. Otughu Ochie is known to wear the Amuma on his chest which signifies that he's not fully grown to participate in the deeper things of the Ogo cult.
The hand band is called Nzebulu, it is of great significance in the Ehugbo culture and Igbo tradition at large. Ebulu (a male ram) is used to bury great men or anyone known as Dike.
A chick is always attached by the side of the mask to prevent spiritual forces from taking control over the masquerade, which is always caused by the type of wood used to make the mask.
