According to the oxford dictionary, masquerade means false show or pretense. It also means to pretend to be what one is not. These meanings are true about masquerades in this part of the world. In some parts of the country, the mystical belief of the people is that they are ancestors. Some believed they are another kind of creature, some said they are returning ancestors. Whatever is the belief, they are still borne out of false show. They could be likened to the Halloween in abroad in terms of their facial appearance and other beliefs.
Masquerades are called different names as their dressing also differs in different cultures. The Yoruba word is Egungun while the Igbos calls them Egwugwu. Ijele is the most populous and biggest masquerade from the South-East. It is said to take days to assemble. There is Ekpo in the South-South and the funky Eyo masquerade in Lagos; Ekuechi (traditional night masquerade) in Ebiraland; and also Onibobo in Yoruba land and several others with distinct names.
Also, one similar thing in masquerades is that their faces are not seen; they are covered. More so, their legs and hands are covered too as they adorn footwear and gloves. They cover their faces with mask (sculptures), nets, clothes and some style their headwear with feathers. They are colourful in dressing. The Ijele has clothes of many colors, some egungun has small mirror attached to their clothing. Ekpo has clothes made of grasses while some others are styled in palm fronds. Eyo of Lagos is dressed in white attires with a hat to match with their faces covered with nets. Some have sticks, matchet or canes as part of their belongings.
Masquerades Have Their Social Functions
Masquerades are seen during festivals and special occasions such as coronation in the South-West. They add fun and glamour to festivities as some are dancers or show boaters. There are some which brings message to the people; they act as messenger of god. They make some chants that only the occultist can decipher. The Onibobo in particular like to climb rooftops. This is their way of showing their dexterity. There are some which causes mayhem. The ones with canes could terrify and can even flog passersby. Most children can’t stand the look of these creatures, they go into hidings. No matter the belief on masquerades, they have their significance in the African society.
