Africa as a continent is known for it's diverse cultures and festive celebrations. Activities in these celebrations are vast and numerous that the mind of an outsider can barely phantom.
Annang as a tribe are indigenes found in the western part of Africa(Nigeria) and southeastern part of Nigeria.
Culture is a way of life of a particular group of people be it race, tribe,ethnic group, etc. One main feature of culture is that it is the touching and persuasive aspect of someone's life.
In the native language of this tribe, masquerades means and are also called Ekpo.
These masquerades represent god's and for some, it symbolizes the dead members of the community. They showcase themselves during festive seasons such as Christmas.
Although they can go to anywhere, both the masquerades and the viewers(individuals) have abiding rules that must be followed or they would be adverse effects. They include:
FOR THE MASQUERADES:
-They go bare feet.
-They don't collect money from a givers hand, the giver would drop the money on the floor and they would pick it up.
-They either use charcoal which is called Ñkang in the native language and coloured chalk called Ñchang on their body.
-They are masked. Some have grasses called mkpatat behind the masked while some use cloth behind the mask. The grass differentiates between the senior and junior masquerades. They seniors use the grass.
-They carry bow and arrow, machete, bells, etc.
FOR THE VIEWERS:
-Don't insult the masquerades.
- When pursued by the masquerades,they must run. Running signifies you are scared of whatever or whoever they represent,if not they would attack because u do not fear.
-3 days to the end of the festival, women or girls shouldn't be seen outside, they are expected to be in doors or they can be seriously hurt by the masquerades, their homes and farms would be destroyed and they would have to pay a fine. These last 3 days signifies the end of the festival.
We have different types of masquerades which each signifies different things. These masquerades have specific market days, some has its special day while some attach to others. But there are two specific market days they can't come out... this is to enable scared people go to the market, these days are... Edere obo and obo annang market day. So here are the ones I know about and their market days;
Akpan Ekpo(First son of the masquerade): their market day is Urua bom. They begin the whole event. Their faces are made of glass and they are not violent. They symbolize youth and beauty.
Eka nkai ekpo(mother masquerade): their market day is Affiong ekpor. They symbolize absolute power with its seven faces.
Inyion ekpo(crippled masquerade): their market day is Edere tagha. They symbolize suffering in the society and they are always limping during the parade.
The rest of the masquerades include :
Afia ekpo(wild masquerade): they symbolize insanity and madness. They are coloured red from head to toe.
Abaikpa ekpo(girl masquerade): they symbolize youth and virginity. They dress and behave like a girl, but still a man.
Imum ekpo(dumb masquerade): they symbolize the voiceless in the society.
Ajara ikpa(the leather wearer): they symbolize beautiful and gorgeous things and people in the society.
Each masquerade is led by a person called akwa ekpo, who carries a rattle called ekpood and chants songs to which the masquerade obeys and dances to. He would run out and back rhythmically as he directs the masquerade. One of the songs used is;
inyion ekpo ku top irang ku urua oo!kwok kwok-kwok,kwok! which means the masquerade shouldn't throw his arrow in the market. This is sang when they are parading the market.
During the time they move around the village, they enter the homes of the major leaders in the community such as the village head, their general leader that tells them what to do before they even set out to perform, these leaders are called mbong ekpor, also the homes of rich people or generally anyone who invites them over to entertain them. When they reach these houses, they remove their mask to drink and eat so women aren't meant to be out cause they take their faces like their nakedness. While they are there, songs are chanted, example is..;
iyoooo, iyoooo akpara awang ku kut ifed ekpooo, akpara awan ku kut ifed ekpoooo, nte ekpo oto awa udok atia own, nte ke ekpo oto awa udok atia owo, kot ubed ke ńna idab ado ńno(2x).
The song means... Woman, don't look at the masquerade's nakedness just call your husband out to come and host us. Don't even try to peep cause we can still throw our arrows through small openings. Just call your husband!
African cultures are full of intriguing and appealing events and they just make you want to know more!!