Traditional masquerade of the Igbo people of Nigeria
Part of the series on Odinala Igbo religion and spirituality
Divinities (Arusi)
Ala
Amadioha
Anyanwu
Igwe
Agwu Nsi
Ekwensu
Ikenga
Legendary creatures and concepts
Mmuo
Ogu na Ofo
Inouwa
Ogbanje
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Ekpe
Osu
Inouwa
Nze na Ozo
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An example of a traditional Mmanwu costume and mask.
Mmanwu//ⓘ is a traditional masquerade of the Igbo people of Southeastern Nigeria. They are performed only by males in exclusive secret societies and involve the use of elaborate, colorful costumes that are meant to invoke ancestral spirits.[1] Masquerade traditions have a varied range of purposes that span from performing elements of epic drama derived from community cosmology and lore, ushering in new months and seasons, honoring totems and ancestral spirits, enactments of parables or myths, with entertainment and community building serving as a consistent commonality. In the past masquerades also bore judicial, social regulatory, and even policing powers, however though these functions have decreased in modern times.
^Anuka, Adolphus Chikezie (2019). Mmanwu and Mission among the Igbo People of Nigeria: An Inculturative Dialogue. LIT Verlag Münster. pp. 127–128.
Mmanwu // is a traditional masquerade of the Igbo people of Southeastern Nigeria. They are performed only by males in exclusive secret societies and involve...
traditional festivals take place in Enugu annually; the Mmanwu festival and the New yam festival. The Mmanwu festival takes place in November and features various...
Nigeria", "Nempi Social Club", "Biri Ka Mbiri", "Ana Enwe Obodo enwe", "Nnukwu Mmanwu" and "Identity", the latter of which spent several weeks on Radio Nigeria...
belief in God through hardships and the coming of better days. Ịgọchi na mmanwụ come out in this month which are adult masquerades. Ọnwa Agwu is the traditional...
communities are farming and handicrafts. Most of its festivals like the Mmanwu festival and Okorosha festival are held during the December holidays. Ekeleke...
certain traditions and culture, such as Igwekala shrine, Orie-Amaigwe market, Mmanwu masquerade, and traditional rulership by the Egbuchulam Chimezie royal family...
S2CID 147944354. Chikezie-Anuka p. 19, Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, Adolphus (2018). Mmanwu and Mission among the Igbo People of Nigeria: An Inculturative Dialogue...
his best known hits are "Biri Ka Mbiri", "Ana Enwe Obodo Enwe", "Nnukwu Mmanwu" and "Identity", all of which were largely successful throughout the early...
such as new yam festival (ị́wá jí) and masquerading traditions such as mmanwụ and Ekpe. Remnants of Igbo religious rites spread among African descendants...
people of Kogi state specifically those from Ankpa axis Ito Ogbo festival Mmanwu Festival Ijele Festival Mbà Boli Festival Mambilla, Taraba State, Nigeria...
controlling the shrine. The Imo-Oka festival showcases a variety of masquerades (mmanwu) from sinister ones which flog spectators to friendly ones which sing or...
mmuonwu (‘daughter’, or ‘maiden spirit of the dead’; also called as ‘Agboho Mmanwu’ or ‘Adamma’ in some parts of Igbo society) is a female spirit that possesses...
styles by region include: ogene around the Anambra borders. the "Ibone" (Mmanwu) festival of Umulokpa and some towns in Ezeagu LGA. egwu-igede in Udi and...
festivals include Christmas, Easter, New Year, Iri ji, Onwa Asato, Ima mmanwu (masquerade festival), Ihe Ngene, and Otute. Over the years, the community...
festivals include; the New yam festival, the Amaji festival and the Ibone (Mmanwu) festival which is held between July and September of every year. The Royal...
called ‘Iwaji’ or ‘Ji Oghoo’), Masquerade Festivals (popularly called ‘Ekpe, mmanwu or ekpo’) and New Year Festivals (popularly called ‘afo oghoo’ or ‘ichu...
following are examples of quotes that may be heard during a performance : Mmanwu si n’igwe: The masked spirit from the sky Udemu na lenu: My fame is potent...
was great feasting, acrobatic dances, wrestling matches and masquerade (mmanwu) display to mark the festival. Friends, relations and in-laws were also...
Eke Market day following 25 December with accompanying masquerade dance 'Mmanwu','Ekpo', music and dance. The Omugwo and child naming ceremony is part of...
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