Omabe Festival
| Omabe Festival | |
|---|---|
| Status | Active |
| Frequency | Every five years |
| Location | Enugu State |
| Country | Nigeria |
Omabe Festival is a festival held in Nsukka, Enugu-Ezike, Enugu State, Nigeria.[1] It is celebrated every five years.
History and significance
The festival has been in existence for several centuries. It is significant to the Imufu people, for whom is acts as an omen of purification and a way of purging evil from the community. It is believed that the masquerade bearer stands as the spiritual intermediate, and the masquerade when it comes out purges the community from evil both in human and spiritual because it is seen to appear with fire. The community is said to have about 600 masquerades, including: eshiwe, obele monwu, Oshagenyi, Eji, eshiwe, Mgbedike, mukwu monwu, Ajulaka, Agbe-Eji, Ajija, Agelle.[2][3]
Celebrations
The festival starts early in the day, as early as 5am, when masquerades are seen coming out to demonstrate, in the order from the smaller to the bigger ones. The masquerades take over the street as a symbol of the return of the Omabe festival after five years, the energetic demonstrations of the masquerades reveals how they have awaited the festival due to its long interval. They perform and entertain people, sharing them up with different styles and dance steps as well as magic or tricks to make people wonder. After the smaller masquerades' performances, the bigger masquerades come out to continue the show. At noon, the dangerous masquerades come out as they are said to be moved by certain spirits, but they are surrounded by the friendly masquerades to avoid them beating, pursuing people and causing havoc.[2]
Some masquerades, such as Mgbdike, appear in colorful traditional attire, beads, and animal skins, as they are recognized as bigger masquerades. They march through the community, while smaller masquerades follow suit dramatizing. Drums, gongs, flutes, and other traditional musical instruments are played. Later, the masquerades go straight to the eldest man's house to pay homage.[3]
Since Masquerades are considered as spirit in Imufu, they are allowed to move and operate for one year from the festival day as the elders says it takes one year for the spirit to leave with men before departing to the spirit world until the next five years. This is a believe that their ancestors come to live with them for a year and the community experiences peace and unity afterward.[3]
Women and girls are not allowed to come close to the masquerades, as they are considered to possess mystical powers.[3]
References
- ↑ Rapheal (2022-12-02). "Ugwuanyi first governor to bring developments to our land, says Igbo-Eze North community". The Sun. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2022-12-26.
- 1 2 "Enugu community celebrates Omabe festival in grand style". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. 2020-09-30. Retrieved 2021-08-18.
- 1 2 3 4 "Omabe masquerade festival: Imufu community's cultural heritage of all ages". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. 2015-05-13. Retrieved 2021-08-18.