Umueri 2019 Ovala and importance of Ijele masquerade
The Igbo tribe in western africa with a region in eastern nigeria has arguably one of the best cultural heritage in Africa, and today, I bring you the mighty Masquerade. "Ijele" 1. Studies have shown that the Ijele masquerade has its roots from the Akunechenyi dance group from Umudiani in Umueri communitie in Anambra State. 2. Available resources also show that the original idea for the masquerade is to celebrate royalty and greatness in Igboland. 3. It is regarded as the biggest masquerade in sub-Saharan Africa. 4. It stands at between 12ft-15ft. 5. It was listed in the UNESCO Archives as an intangible cultural element in need of urgent safeguarding. 6. It is believed that in the olden days, 45 other masquerades performed on top of the Ijele (signifying its kingship above all other eastern masquerades). These masquerades are represented today by 45 figurines on top of the Ijele. 7. It takes about a hundred men to put the Ijele costume in orde...