F r o m t h e

H e a r t
o f
Ma sculinit y:
Ogbo do -
U k e
Wo m e n's
Ma sk ing
Ch inye r e
Gr a ce
Ok a f o r
O
gbo do -U k e
is a m a sk
pe r f o r m a nce
t h a t is
o r ga nize d
a nd
pe r -
f o r m e d
by
wo m e no f t h e Izzi cla nin
Igbo la nd
o f
Nige r ia . Am o ngst
t h e
Igbo ,
m a sk ing
ist h e
spe cia l pr e r o ga t ive
o f m e nwh o a r e e nt r ust e d t o use it a sa r it u-
a list icinst r um e nt f o r
a ppr o a ch ing
t h e unk no wn.
Spir it s
e m a na t e
t h r o ugh
t h e m a sk swh ich a r e a nim a t e d t o f unct io na s
a ge nt s
o f so cie t a l co nt r o l a nd
e nt e r t a inm e nt .
Spe cia l
wo m e n-such a s
po st m e no pa usa l o ne s,
wive so f
se nio r cult
m e m be r s,
a nd
line a ge da ugh t e r s-a r e
o f t e ndr a f t e d t o
pe r f o r m
r o le sint h e
m a sk ing pe r f o r m a nce . H o we ve r ,
t h e y
ne ve r f unct io nint h e ce n-
t e r o f
po we r byco nt r o lling
t h e
o r ga niza t io n
a nd
we a r ing
t h e m a sk . It wa s
t h e r e f o r e inno va t ive a nd
e xt r e m e ly
r a dica l wh e nt h e wo m e no f Izzi ve n-
t ur e d int o t h e
m a sk ing
do m a in. Th is
pa pe r
e xa m ine st h e
o r igins
a nd
pe r f o r -
m a nce o f
Ogbo do -U k e
m a sk
by
wo m e no f Aba
co m m unit y
o f Aba k ilik i. It
will be se e nt h a t :
1.
Ogbo do -U k e o r igina t e d
f r o m a m a sculinist
so cie t y
t h a t cla ssif ie d
m a sk ing
a sa m a le a f f a ir .
2. It is
o r ga nize d, pr o duce d,
a nd
pe r f o r m e d by
wo m e n.
3. It isa ne w
ph e no m e no n
t h a t isvie we d wit h m ixe d
f e e lings.
4. It isa n
e xpr e ssio n
o f
inde pe nde nce
a nd
ge nde r co o pe r a t io n.
Izzi islo ca t e d int h e no r t h e a st e r n
pa r t
o f
Igbo la nd.
It sh a r e sit sno r t h -
e r na nd no r t h e a st e r nbo unda r ie s wit h
no n-Igbo -spe a k ing pe o ple s
o f Be nue
a nd Cr o ssRive r
a r e a s, r e spe ct ive ly.
Th e o t h e r bo unda r ie sa r e sh a r e d wit h
o t h e r
Igbo pe o ple .
Th e cla nisa clust e r o f co m m unit ie sinAba k ilik i a nd Izzi
a dm inist r a t ive a r e a so f
Enugu
St a t e . Th e
pe o ple
t r a ce t h e ir
o r igin
t o a co m -
m o nm a le f o unde r ca lle d Nno do . Int h e t r a dit io na l
co m m unit ie s,
"la bo ur
8 I Re se a r ch in
Af r ica n
Lit e r a t ur e s
wa slim it e d t o
bio lo gica l
cr it e r ia "
(Ok o nk wo 27).
Dut ie swe r e
ge nde r spe -
cif ic. To a
ve r yla r ge e xt e nt ,
wo m e n'sr o le sr e vo lve d a r o und t h e ir
bio lo gica l
f unct io n. F o r
e xa m ple , t h e y
nur t ur e t h e
f a m ilybyt a k ing
ca r e o f t h e
f e e ding,
clo t h ing,
a nd h e a lt h o f t h e inm a t e s. Me na r e
e xpe ct e d
t o
pr o vide
t h e m e a ns
t h r o ugh
t h e ir co nt r o l o f t h e
m a jo r
ca sh
cr o ps, ya m
a nd r ice . Th is k ind o f
divisio no f la bo r le nds
suppo r t
t o Anne -Ma r ie Am h e r t 's
t h e o r y
o f
Ne o t e ny.
Sh e
po sit s
t h a t inf a nt s'
im m a t ur it y(ne o t e ny)
le d t o t h e divisio no f la bo r
a lo ng
se x line s
(57).
In
Izzi,
t h e
im m a t ur it y
o f t h e
yo ung
a nd t h e
de pe n-
de nce o f
f a m ily
m e m be r so nt h e ca r e o f wo m e n
la r ge ly
co nt r ibut e d t o t h e
a ssignm e nt
o f wo m e nt o t h e do m e st ic
sph e r e .
Izzi
pe o ple
h a ve a num be r o f f e st iva lsint h e ir
ye a r lycycle
wh e n
t h e y
t a k e o ut t im e f r o m t h e r o ut ine o f
da ily
wo r k t o r e la x a nd
e njo y.
Such f e st i-
va ls include
Ok e m ini,
U gwude nyi, Of ia -U k wu,
U ge de ,
a nd U k e . One
m a jo r
a t t r a ct io no f f e st iva lsis
m a sk ing,
wh ich isa
pr e st igio usa ssignm e nt
f o r
m e n in Izzi1 a nd
Igbo la nd
in
ge ne r a l.
It is cla im e d t h a t t h e e xclusio n o f
wo m e nf r o m
m a sk ing
isa so ld a s
m a sk ing
it se lf be ca use t h e
f o unding
f a t h e r s
o f
m a sk ing
cult s
o r ga nize d
it t h a t
wa y (Ok a f o r ,
"Th e
Re je ct e d
Co m e r
St o ne "
27).
Or a l
t r a dit io n, h o we ve r ,
indica t e st h a t t h e r e
m igh t
h a ve be e n
wo m e n's
m a sk ing
t h a t wa s
e ve nt ua lly
t a k e no ve r
by
m e n.2
Alt h o ugh
such
st o r ie s
o pe r a t e
o ut side
r e a lit y,
in t h e
im a gina t ive r e a lm ,
t h e y m igh t
be
po int e r s
t o a
r e a lit y
t h a t h a sbe co m e r e m o t e o r a
r e a lit y
t h a t wa sf e a r e d a nd
suppr e sse d.
As m e nt io ne d
e a r lie r ,
t h e r e is
h a r dlya nyIgbo
t h e a t e r t h a t do e s
no t ut ilize t h e se r vice s o f wo m e n a s
m o t h e r s, cle a ne r s, h e r a lds,
a nd
ch o r use s. Th e
o r igin
a nd
de ve lo pm e nt
o f t h e invo lve m e nt o f wo m e n in
m e n'sm a sk cult sa r e st ill o bscur e . Th is invo lve m e nt sh o uld no t be co nf use d
wit h o f f icia le xt e nsio no f
m e m be r sh ip
o f m a sk cult st o wo m e n.
Me m be r sh ip
is
o f f icia llyo pe n
t o m e n
o nly.
Th e f e w wo m e nwh o a r e
inco r po r a t e d
be ca use
o f t h e se r vice s
t h e y
r e nde r
h a r dly
e ve r f unct io nint h e
o r ga niza t io n
a nd co n-
t r o lo f t h e cult a ct ivit ie s.
Th e y
ne ve r we a r t h e m a sk a nd
e m bo dy
t h e
spir it
o f
t h e m a sk . Th e
m a jo r it y
o f wo m e n
o pe r a t e
a sno n-init ia t e s wh o a r e
suppo se d
t o be
igno r a nt
o f t h e
m a sk ing pr o ce ss. Th e y
a r e , h o we ve r ,
f r e e t o wa t ch a nd
e ve ninso m e ca se sf o llo w a m a sk t h a t h a sbe e n
pr o duce d
a nd is
pe r f o r m ing
int h e
co m m unit y.
Th e ide a o r
sugge st io n
o f wo m e n
pr o ducing
a m a sk isbe lie ve d t o be
a lie nt o Izzicult ur e . Th e ide a isso unbe lie va ble t h a t a f t e r t h e int r o duct io no f
wo m e n's
m a sk ing cult ,
so m e m e n
do gge dly
r e f use t o
a ck no wle dge
it . Th e
ir a t e r e a ct io no f a m a le int e r vie we e t o
m yque st
f o r t h e wo m e nm a sk e r sis
inf o r m a t ive :
No m a t t e r wh a t
h a ppe ns,
wo m e nca nne ve r we a r m a sk inIzzi....
Ma da m ,
if
yo u
wa nt
pe o ple
t o t e ll
yo u
st o r ie so f t h e
la nd,
t h a t is
o k a y.
But if
yo u
wa nt t o lo o k f o r wo m e n
we a r ing m a sk s,
t h e n
f o r ge t
it ! It is
no t do ne ! It isa na bo m ina t io n! In
f a ct ,
if no t t h a t
yo u
a r e a ne duca t e d
wo m a n,
I will no t be
discussing m a sque r a de
wit h
yo u. (Sim o n
Ogbo nna , Aba k ilik i, Apr il1992)
Ina ddit io nt o it so bvio us
m e ssa ge ,
t h e
spe e ch
sh o wst h a t
m a sk ing
is
such a
pr e st igio usm a nlya ct ivit y
t h a t t o a sso cia t e it wit h wo m e ne ve na t t h e
Ch inye r e
Gr a ce
Ok a f o r
1 9
le ve l o f
discussing
it wit h a wo m a nis
de m e a ning.
Th e
spe e ch
illust r a t e st h e
ge nde r spe cif icit y
o f t h e f a m o us
m a sk ing a ct ivit y.
H o w, t h e n,
did wo m e no f
Izzicr o sst h e
bo unda r y
o f
ge nde r
a nd e nt e r t h e e ncla ve o f t h e indo m it a ble
t r a dit io ns?
Th e
se e m inglyr igid
t r a dit io nco nt a ins t h e se e d o f
de ve lo pm e nt .
Th e
pa r t icula r
e le m e nt o f
ch a nge
t h a t a f f e ct e d t h e
m a sk ing
t r a dit io nlie sint h e
po t e ncy
o f wo m e n's
po we r .
InIzzia nd m uch o f
Igbo la nd
in
ge ne r a l, pe o ple
be lie ve int h e
po we r
o f wo m e n. An
Ik we r r e -Igbo no ve list ,
Ele ch i
Am a di,
put s
it
succinct ly
wh e nh e st a t e s
t h a t ,
"Be ca use m a n
r e co gnize sinst inct ive ly
t h a t f e m inine
po we r s
a r e
o ve r wh e lm ing,
h e isr e luct a nt t o co nce de
a ny
f ur -
t h e r
po we r s
a nd
pr ivile ge s
t o wo m e n..."
(F ido 225-26).
Th e f e a r o f t h is
po we r
is
pa r t lyr e spo nsible
f o r t h e e xclusio no f wo m e nf r o m
m a sk ing.
Ir o ni-
ca lly, m a ny
m a sk cult s se e k t o va lida t e t h e ir e xist e nce
by invo k ing
t h e
po we r
o f wo m e na sm o t h e r s.3 Int im e so f
dist r e ss,
wh e nt h e
se cur it y
o f t h e
co m m unit y
is
t h r e a t e ne d,
wo m e na r e o f t e nca lle d
upo n
t o sa ve t h e sit ua -
t io n. Th e t r a dit io na lr ule r o f
Aba k ilik i,
Igwe Alo ,
r e f e r st o t h is
po we r :
In
Izzila nd,
wh e n
so m e t h ing
be co m e s
t o ugh ,
wo m e na r e ca lle d ina sa
f ina lr e so r t . Th e r e wa so nce a dr e a df ul
spir it dwe lling
ina t r e e . It wa s
ca using
h a vo cint h e la nd. Th e
pe o ple
we nt t o a no r a cle wh ich
pr o -
cla im e d t h a t
o nly
wo m e nco uld dr ive
a wa y
t h e
spir it . So , e lde r ly
wo m e nh a d t o
pe r f o r m
a r it ua lint h e
nigh t . Th e y
we nt na k e d t o t h e
t r e e a nd de f ile d it .
Th e yspr e a d
f e ce sa nd a buse d t h e ba d
spir it .
Th a t
wa sh o w
t h e y
de f e a t e d it a nd
pe a ce
wa sr e st o r e d t o t h e la nd.... If t h e r e
isa wa r be t we e nt wo
co m m unit ie s,
t h e m e nwillbe
f igh t ing
a nd
f igh t -
ing.
If wo m e n
just
de cide t o e nd t h e
wa r ,
t h e y
will
just ca r r y
live
br a nch e swit h le a ve st o t h e
pla ce
o f
f igh t ing
a nd wa ve t h e m . Th a t will
be t h e e nd o f t h e ba t t le .
(20
Ma r ch
1991)
Th e
spe e ch
de m o nst r a t e sbe lie f int h e
po t e ncy
o f wo m e n's
po we r
in
Izzi. Th e
be lie f , h o we ve r ,
isno t
pe culia r
t o t h e
Izzi-Igbo . Am o ng
t h e we st e r n
Nige r -Igbo pe o ple
o f
Oba nk pa ,
t h e
spir it ua l
a nd
ph ysica l
h e a lt h o f t h e
pe o -
ple
isve st e d int h e wo m e n.
Acco r ding
t o t h e f e m a le
r ule r , Om u,
If t h e r e is
dr a ugh t ,
we cur se wh o e ve r ca use d it . If t h e r e issick ne ssa nd
pe o ple
a r e
dying, m y
ca bine t
go e s
na k e d int h e
nigh t
wit h live br a nch e s
t o cur se wh o e ve r
br o ugh t
it . If t h e r e issick ne ssint h e ne xt
t o wn,
I do
so m e t h ing
wit h
m y
ca bine t t o e nsur e t h a t sick ne ssdo e sno t e nt e r t h is
t o wn.
(qt d
in
Ok o njo 50)
Am o ng
t h e
ne igh bo r ing
Edo
pe o ple ,
wo m e na r e a lso t h e f ina lr e so r t in
so lving
dif f icult
pr o ble m s.
Th is be lie f wa sinvo k e d in1985 wh e nt h e m ili-
t a r ygo ve r nm e nt
int r o duce d
h igh
f e e sinsch o o ls e ve na sm a ssive r e t r e nch -
m e nt o f wo r k e r swa s
go ing
o n. Th e o ld wo m e n
(e de de )
t h r e a t e ne d t o
go
na k e d o nt h e st r e e t s. Th isr it ua list icde m o nst r a t io no f
a nge r
wa sbe lie ve d t o
h a ve dr a st ic
co nse que nce s
be ca use o f t h e r it ua l
po we r
o f wo m e n. Th e m ili-
t a r ygo ve r no r quick ly
a ddr e sse d t h e issue o n t e le visio n a nd a bo lish e d t h e
o f f e nsive sch o o l f e e s.
Th e r it ua list icf unct io no f wo m e ne m a na t e d f r o m be lie f int h e r it ua l
e sse nce o f wo m e n a s
pr o ge nit o r s
o f t h e
so cie t y.
Th e ide a is t h a t wo m e n
10 I Re se a r ch in
Af r ica n
Lit e r a t ur e s
k no w t h e se cr e t o f lif e since
t h e y
a r e t h e so ur ce o f lif e . Be ca use o f t h e ir bio -
lo gica l
f unct io nint h e
live -giving pr o ce ss,
t h e
so cie t y
lo o k so nt h e m t o sa f e -
gua r d
lif e .
Th us,
it ist h e
bio lo gica l
r o le o f wo m e nt h a t inf lue nce d be lie f in
t h e ir
po we r . Ir o nica lly,
t h e sa m e
pr o ge nit ive
f o r ce wh ich
ga ve
t h e m
po we r
isa lso t h e so ur ce o f
m a ny
o f t h e ir
pr o ble m s.
Wh ile wo m e nwe r e
usua lly
t ie d
t o t h e
pr iva t e
a nd do m e st iclif e wit h
ch ildr e n,
m e nt e nde d t o do m ina t e
pub-
liclif e . One
a gr e e s
wit h F ilo m ina Ch io m a
St e a dy
wh e nsh e
po sit s
t h a t
Th e
bir t h pla ce
o f h um a nlif e m ust a lso be t h e
bir t h pla ce
o f h um a n
st r uggle s,
a nd f e m inist co nscio usne ss m ust inso m e
wa y
be r e la t e d t o
t h e e a r lie st divisio no f la bo r
a cco r ding
t o se x o nt h e co nt ine nt .
(7)
Th e
o r igin
o f wo m e n's
m a sk ing
inIzzi is
dir e ct ly
link e d wit h t h e be lie f
inwo m e n's
pr o ge nit ive po we r s.
Th e
e m e r ge ncy
sit ua t io nt h a t ca lle d f o r t h e
use o f t h is
po we r
wa st h e
Nige r ia -Bia f r a
wa r ,
1967-70. Th e wa r
disr upt e d
t h e
t r a dit io na l divisio no f la bo r
byge nde r .
Wo m e nwe r e r e cr uit e d int o t h e m ili-
t ia
co r ps, Int e llige nce
a nd
Pr o pa ga nda Dir e ct o r a t e s,
a swe ll a sse ct io nso f
t h e
f igh t ing
zo ne
(Mba 71). Ma ny
o f t h o se wh o we r e le f t int h e r e a r
a cquir e d
ne w
r e spo nsibilit ie s
a sa r e sult o f t h e a bse nce o f
pe o ple
wh o h a d be e ndr a f t e d
int o t h e
a r m y.
In
sh o r t ,
due t o t h e
e xige ncie s
o f t h e
wa r ,
wo m e nt o o k
up
ne w
ch a lle nge s, including
t h e
pe r f o r m a nce
o f dut ie st h a t we r e
t r a dit io na lly
m e n's. Th e
so cie t y
wa s
a ppr e h e nsive
a bo ut t h e
sa f e t y
o f t h o se wh o h a d
jo ine d
t h e f o r ce . Wit h int h e
so cie t y
it se lf ,
t h e r e wa sa nincr e a se int h e de a t h
r a t e due t o t h e
h a r dsh ip
o f t h e wa r sit ua t io n. Th ise xa ce r ba t e d t h e
a nxie t y
cr e a t e d
by
t h e wa r .
Pr a ye r s
we r e o f f e r e d inch ur ch e s. Individua lso bt a ine d
pe r so na l
ch a r m sf r o m
po we r f ul
h e r ba list s. It wa sa cr isissit ua t io nt h a t
ne e de d
r e m e dy.
Th e r e lia ble o r a cle ca lle d U k e r e ve a le d t h e im m e dia t e a nd
dr a st ic
r e m e dy
f o r t h e
pr e dict a ble t r a gic
de a t h o f
yo ung
Izzi
pe o ple
int h e
wa r f r o nt a nd a t h o m e . U k e
ple dge d
it s
pr o t e ct io n
a nd de cr e e d t h e
pr o duc-
t io no f m a sk
pe r f o r m a nce s by
wo m e n. Th iswa st h e
ge ne sis
o f
Ogbo do -U k e
m a sk ing by
wo m e no f Izzi cla n.
St a r t ing
f r o m Ewum ini
villa ge ,
wh ich ist h e
h e a dqua r t e r s
o f U k e
o r a cle ,
t h e
pe r f o r m a nce spr e a d
t o o t h e r
villa ge s
o f Izzi.
Ogbo do -U k e
is, t h e r e f o r e ,
de e ply
r o o t e d int h e be lie f
syst e m
o f t h e
so cie t y.
Th e o r a cle isa ce nt r a l
m yt h icf igur e
int h e
h ist o r y
o f t h e cla n. Dur -
ing
a
pe r io d
o f se r io usm e na ce f r o m t h e
no n-Igbo ne igh bo r s
int h e no r t h e r n
a r e a ,
t h e U k e o r a cle wa sinst it ut e d
by
a visit o r f r o m t h e no r t h e a st e r na r e a .
Th e o r a cle
pit ch e d ca m p
wit h Izzi
pe o ple ,
wh o
pr o m pt ly
de f e a t e d t h e ir
e ne m y.
F r o m t h e n
o n,
t h e
pe o ple be ga n
t o
r e ly
o nt h e o r a cle wh ich h a d co n-
t inue d t o live
up
t o
e xpe ct a t io ns.
One is
na t ur a lly
cur io usa bo ut t h e
ide nt it y
o f t h e o r a cle t h a t e xh ibit e d such a f e m inist
im pulse
t h a t wa s
r e vo lut io na r y.
All
m y
inf o r m a nt s
e xce pt
o ne cla im t h a t t h e
o f f icia t ing a ge nt
o f t h e o r a cle is
a m a n. Th e o ne cla im st h a t t h e r e a r e wo m e n
a ge nt s, h o we ve r ,
co r r o bo r a t e s
t h e inf o r m a t io nt h a t t h e
ve r y
f ir st U k e
a ge nt
wa sa m a n.4 Wh e t h e r m a no r
wo m a n,
t h e
a ge nt
h a ssh o wna f e m inist
im pulse
t h a t le d t o r a dica l so cia l
ch a nge .
Wo m e n's
m a sk ing
wa sa ninno va t io nt h a t wa s
ca pa ble
o f
ca using
se r io us
uph e a va l,
but be ca use o f it sr it ua l
im po r t a nce
int h e
cla n,
it wa s
a cce pt e d bya ll, including
t h o se wh o did no t lik e t h e ide a .
Ch inye r e
Gr a ce
Ok a f o r
I 11
Wo m e n
r e a dily
e m br a ce d t h e de cr e e wh ich
pr o pe lle d
t h e m t o
a no t h e r le ve l o f
im po r t a nce . Th e ybe ga n
t o
o r ga nize
a nd we a r a
m a sk ,
Ogbo do -U k e ,
wh ich isna m e d a f t e r t h e o r a cle .
Ogbo do
r e f e r st o t h e m a sk
ch a r a ct e r ;
U k e ist h e na m e o f t h e libe r a t ive o r a cle . Wo m e n
pe r f o r m
t h e
pla y
dur ing
t h e U k e f e st iva l in
F e br ua r y.
It isa
f ive -da y
f e st iva l o f
r it ua l,
f e a st ing,
a nd dr a m a t ice nt e r t a inm e nt . Th e f ir st
da y
isde vo t e d t o r it ua l o bse r va nce a t
t h e sh r ine o f U k e .
F e a st ing, r it ua ls,
a nd
m a sk ing
t a k e
up
t h e o t h e r
da ys.
H o we ve r , m a sk ing
ist h e
m a jo r
a t t r a ct io nint h e
pr o gr a m .
Th e m a sk e nse m ble ism a de
up
o f se nio r
wo m e n,
no t
yo ung gir ls
a nd
t e e na ge r s.
Th e wo m e n
co -o pt yo ung
m e nt o
ca r r y
a nd be a t t h e dr um s. Th e
pe r f o r m a nce
co nsist so f a
m a sk -f igur e
a nd h e r f o llo we r s. Th e h e a d o f t h e
m a sk -f igur e
is a n
a nt h r o po m o r ph ic
wo o de nm a sk wit h
h o r ns, e a r s,
a nd
h um a no id f a ce . Th e e a r isa cur io us
pr o je ct io n
wit h a h um a no id f a ce . Th e
m a sk ish o r izo nt a l a nd lie sf la t o nt h e m a sk e r 's h e a d. Ruf f le so f r a f f ia
suppo r t
t h e ba se o f t h e
m a sk ,
f o r m ing
a k ind o f be d f o r t h e m a sk . Th e m a sk iswh it e
wit h st r e a k so f
bla ck , r e d,
a nd
ye llo w pigm e nt m a r k ing
o ut t h e f e a t ur e s. Th e
a ga pe m o ut h ,
f o r
e xa m ple ,
is
r e d,
wh ile t h e
o pe ning
o f t h e no se isbla ck . Th e
be ll-sh a pe d
br o wnr a f f ia co st um e a lso h a sbla ck a nd r e d line s.
One ca nno t
h e lp no t icing
t h e m a r k e d dif f e r e nce be t we e nt h e
Ogbo do -U k e m a sk -f igur e pr o duce d by
wo m e na nd t h e
m a sk -f igur e s r e pr e -
se nt ing
wo m e ninm e n's
pr o duct io ns.
Th e m o st
po pula r
f e m a le
f igur e
o f
m e n'se nse m ble is
Agbo gh o -m m o nwu.
Th e
f igur e
sim ula t e st h e
ph ysica l
f e a t ur e s, da nce ,
a nd m o ve m e nt o f a f e m inine wo m a n
(Ok a f o r ,
"Be h ind t h e
Inscr ut a ble Wo nde r "
45). Ogbo do -U k e
m a k e sno
a t t e m pt
a t f e m inine f in-
e r y.
Th e r e isno
a t t e m pt
t o
disguise
t h e a r m sa nd
le gs
o f t h e a ct r e ss. Th e
f e m a le lim bsa r e
quit e
visible unde r t h e sh o r t sle e ve so f t h e
k ne e -h igh
co s-
t um e . Th isk ind o f co st um e e na ble st h e lim bst o be f r e e f o r t h e
r unning
bo ut s
o f t h e
f igur e .
U nlik e t h e f e m a le
f igur e spr o duce d bym e n, Ogbo do -U k e
ca r -
r ie sa
wh ip.
Th isisa
sign
o f
a ggr e ssio n,
a t r a it t h a t is
t ypica lly
r e se r ve d f o r
m a le
f igur e s
inm e n's
pr o duct io ns
a nd isno t
pa r t
o f t h e ch a r a ct e r iza t io n o f
f e m a le
f igur e s. Running
bo ut swh ich a r e
pa r t
o f t h e dr a m a t ica ct io no f
Ogb-
o do -U k e a r e a lso a bse nt int h e a ct io no f f e m a le
f igur e s
o f m e n's
e nse m ble s,
wh e r e such
a ggr e ssive
a ct io nsa r e
de pict e d o nly
a sm a le m a sk -ch a r a ct e r s.
Th e
wo m e n, h o we ve r ,
do no t
r e ga r d Ogbo do -U k e
a sa f e m a le m a sk
no r a sa m a le
o ne ,
e it h e r .
Acco r ding
t o Ma da m
Ange lina Oga n,
a ninf o r -
m a nt ,
"It is
sim plyOgbo do -U k e .
It isno t a m a n. Go d f o r bid!" It ist h e
spir it
e sse nce ,
no t
ge nde r
o f t h e
m a sk ,
t h a t is
im po r t a nt
t o t h e wo m e n
pr o duce r s.
Th e y
h a ve no t
o ve r t lyst ylize d
t h e ch a r a ct e r t o sh o w t h a t a wo m a nis
a ct ing
it
bye m ph a sizing
h e r br e a st o r t h e
swinging
o f h e r
h ips
a sdo t h e m a le
pr o -
duce r so f f e m a le ch a r a ct e r s. No r do t h e wo m e nh ide t h e br e a st so f t h e
a ct r e ss. Th e m a sk -ch a r a ct e r is
sim ply
t o be se e na sit
is,
a
spir it de pict e d by
a wo m a n.
Th e
pe r f o r m a nce
st a r t swit h a r it ua l a t t h e sh r ine o f t h e o r a cle . Th isis
a k ind o f
pr o lo gue
t o t h e m a int h e a t r ica l e ve nt . Th e dr a m a t ica ct io no f t h e
m a sk e r co nsist so f
da ncing, r unning
a r o und t h e
a r e na ,
a nd
ch a sing a nt a go -
nist swit h f o llo we r sinh o t
pur suit . Ogbo do -U k e
use sh e r f o llo we r sa nd t h e
12 I Re se a r ch in
Af r ica n
Lit e r a t ur e s
spe ct a t o r s
t o
pe r f o r m
h e r r o le a sa
f r ie ndlyspir it .
Sh e da nce swit h h e r f o llo w-
e r sin
e piso de s
inwh ich sh e a ct sa st h e le a d da nce r . Th e se
e piso de spo r t r a y
t h e
co o pe r a t io n
be t we e nt h e U k e o r a cle
r e pr e se nt e d by
t h e m a sk ch a r a ct e r
a nd t h e Izzi
pe o ple r e pr e se nt e d by
t h e da nce r s. Th e r e is
usua lly
no winne r
since t h e
da ncing
se ssio nisno t a co nt e st . But inh o no r o f t h e U k e
spir it ,
t h e
f o llo we r s
usua lly
a cco r d
supe r io r it y
t o t h e m a sk . Th is isdo ne
t h r o ugh
dr a -
m a t ic
a ct io n,
e it h e r
by
a da nce r
e m br a cing
t h e
m a sk -f igur e
o r
t h r o ugh
t h e
ulula t io no f t h e wo m e n. Sh e isa lso sa lut e d
bya ppr e cia t ive
m e m be r so f t h e
a udie nce .
Th e
"r unning"
a nd
"ch a sing" e piso de sde pict
a no t h e r
a spe ct
o f t h e
U k e
spir it :t o ugh ne ss.
Th e swif t ne ssa nd ze a lwit h wh ich t h e o r a cle so lve s
pr o ble m s
is
po r t r a ye d t h r o ugh
t h e m a sk -ch a r a ct e r 'sf a st
pur suit
o f
a nt a go -
nist s. Sh e
usua lly
use s
yo ung t e e na ge bo ys
a s
a nt a go nist s
wh o m sh e
pur sue s
a nd so m e t im e sst r ik e swit h h e r
wh ip.
Assh e
r uns,
h e r f o llo we r sr una f t e r h e r .
Th e ch a se is
a lwa ys
co nclude d wit h a da nce . It isa
vict o r y
da nce
ce le br a t ing
t h e
jo y
o f t h e o cca sio n. Th e
o ve r r iding
e m o t io no f t h e
pe r f o r m a nce
is
jo y.
Th e wo m e n
h a ppily
h o no r t h e o r a cle f o r it sr o le int h e
pe r f o r m a nce .
One o f
t h e
po pula r so ngs, "Ogbo Ogbo do ,"
co nt a ins a t r ibut e t o t h e o r a cle :
Igbo
Tr a nsla t io n
Ogbo Ogbo do
e zuo na . Th e
ga t h e r ing
o f m a sk
pe r f o r m e r s
is
co m ple t e .
Anyi
e zuo na . We a r e
co m ple t e .
Anie wube na
Ogbo do -U k e .
We a r e
we a r ing
t h e m a sk
o f U k e .
U k e o lua o lua o do r o . U k e t h a t
f igh t s
a nd
f igh t s
a nd r e m a insim m o va ble .
Ogbo do jur u
o m a . Th e m a sk t h a t e m br a ce s.
Th e a bo ve
lyr ice xpr e sse s
t h e wo m e n's
jo y
in
br e a k ing
t h e indo m it a -
ble do o r t h a t ba r r e d t h e m f r o m t h e sa cr e d
a ct ivit y
o f
m a sk ing
a nd
a ch ie ving
f ull
int e gr it y
a s
pe o ple
wh o ca n
pla y
wit h t h e
go ds.
Th is is
wh yt h e ysa y
t h a t
t h e y
"a r e
co m ple t e ."
It isa na f f ir m a t io no f t h e ir ne w
int e gr it y. Pr e vio usly,
a
m a nwh o wa sno t init ia t e d int o a
m a sk ing
cult wa sso m e t im e s
de r o ga t ive ly
r e f e r r e d t o a sa wo m a nbe ca use wo m e nne ve r use d t o m a sk . Th e int r o duc-
t io n o f wo m e n
m a sk ing
h a s
punct ur e d
t h is
r e le ga t io n
a nd
uplif t e d
t h e
wo m e n. Th e ne w
e xpe r ie nce
isdue t o t h e int e r ve nt io no f a
r e put a ble
wa r -
lo r d,
U k e
spir it ,
sa lut e d a s o ne t h a t do e s f ie r ce ba t t le s a nd r e m a ins
unsca t h e d a s if
no t h ing h a ppe ne d. Odo r o ,
wh ich m e a ns
"im m o va ble ,"
r e f e r st o it s
unpe r t ur be d
st a nce a f t e r a
t e r r if ying
ba t t le . Th e
so ng
a lso
e xpr e sse s
t h e wo m e n's
a ppr e cia t io n
o f t h e o r a cle f o r it s
f r ie ndsh ip
a nd
pr o -
t e ct io n. Th e
unsca t h ing a bilit y
o f t h e o r a cle is a lso a t t r ibut a ble t o t h e
wo m e nsince
t h e y
a r e a ble t o de a lwit h unso lva ble cr isis. Ina
sym bo licso ng,
"Ok pe m be ," t h e y
r e f e r t o t h e m se lve sa s
o k pe m be ,
a k ind o f sm a ll
t o ugh ya m
wh ich o ne ca n
disr e ga r d e a sily
be ca use o f it ssm a llsize but wh ich
a lwa ys
sur -
pr ise s
t h e m o ut h . It
a lwa yspr o ve s
t o be t o o
big
f o r t h e m o ut h t o h a ndle . Th e
pr a ise
na m e o f t h e
ya m ,
a t a e buo nu
(ch e wing
it swe lls t h e
m o ut h ),
is a n
Ch inye r e
Gr a ce
Ok a f o r
I 13
a ppr o pr ia t e m e t a ph o r
f o r t h e sit ua t io no f wo m e nin
so cie t y.
Wo m e na r e e a s-
ilydisr e ga r de d, ye t t h e y pr o ve
t o be t h e lif e f o r ce o f t h e
so cie t y.
Jo h n
E.
Njo k u
m a k e sa sim ila r
po int
wh e nh e de scr ibe st h e
st r a t e gic
r o le so f Af r ica n
wo m e na nd t h e ir
r e le ga t io n.
H e
go e s
f ur t h e r t o
a gr e e
wit h Mo h a m m e d t h a t
"t h e r e a l wr e t ch e d o f t h e e a r t h in F a no n'swe ll-k no wn
ph r a se
we r e t h e
wo m e no f Af r ica "
(10).
Th e wo m e n
pe r f o r m e r s
a lso sa lut e t h e
co m m unit y
a nd t h e ir le a de r in
t h e
so ngs.
Th e
pe o ple
a r e ca lle d
"Igbudu
o t ua li"
(Big t r a p
t h a t
t r a ps
t h e
la nd).
Th e
im a ge
invo k e st h e
pe o ple 'spr o we ss
in
f a r m ing
t h e la nd.
Igbudu
is
a
ve r ybig t r a p
use d f o r
ca t ch ing big
a nim a ls. It ist h e r e f o r e a
m e t a ph o r
f o r
t h e
gr e a t f a r m ing po pula ce
t h a t "ca t ch e s" t h e la nd a st h e
t r a p
do e s
big
a ni-
m a ls. Th e wo m e nuse
m a nyve ge t a t io nim a ge s
be ca use o f t h e ir na t ur a lh a bi-
t a t a nd t h e ir co nst a nt co nt a ct wit h
ve ge t a t io n t h r o ugh
cult iva t io n.
Th e y
r e f e r t o t h e t r a dit io na l r ule r o f t h e
villa ge
a s
"Ok pa l'e gu" r e f e r r ing
t o h is
pr o we ss
in
f a r m ing.5
Th e do m ina nt m o o d o f t h e
lyr ics
is
jo y. Jo yf ulm e ssa ge s
such a s
"Anyi
a k wo r ia h a "
(We
a r e
e njo ying h e r e )
a nd "Ono l'ur a t e h u"
(Wh o e ve r
is
sle e ping
sh o uld wa k e
up)
r e cur int h e
so ngs
a nd
e m ph a size
t h e
m o o d o f t h e e ve nt . Th e
po pula r
ch o r uso f t h e wo m e n wh o r una f t e r t h e
m a sk -ch a r a ct e r
e xpr e sse s
t h e ne e d t o
h ur r y
ino r de r t o
pa r t icipa t e
int h e
e njo ya ble pe r f o r m a nce :
Igbo
Tr a nsla t io n
Ono l'ur a t e h u Wh o e ve r is
sle e ping,
wa k e
up.
Te h u
k po da h uya . Tr y
h a r d a nd wa k e
up.
Ege de
sh ur u
ge de . So m e t h ing gr e a t
h a s
h a ppe ne d.
Th e a bo ve
so ng
isa ca ll f o r wo m e n's
so lida r it y, e m a ncipa t io n, jo y,
a nd
gr e a t ne ss.
"Wa k e
up"
isa ca ll f o r r e le a se f r o m f o r ce st h a t t ie wo m e ndo wn
a nd
pr e ve nt
t h e m f r o m
se e k ing
a nd
glo r if ying
t h e ir ne w
e xpe r ie nce .
Th e
wo m e n
pr a ise
t h e m se lve s f o r
a t t a ining
a no t h e r le ve l o f a wa r e ne sswh e r e
t h e ype r f o r m
t h e m a sk
pla y:
Igbo
Tr a nsla t io n
Anyi
a k wo r ia h a . We a r e
e njo ying
h e r e .
Ogbo do
a k wo r ia h a . Ma sk
spir it
is
e njo ying.
Nt a nu
a nyi
e vur u
a k a r a ,
To da y
we
ca r r y
a
sym bo l, pr int
nye
l'e k wo . it ina bo o k .
Ono l'ur a t e h u. Wh o e ve r is
sle e ping,
wa k e
up.
Th e a bo ve
lyr ice xpr e sse spr ide .
Th e wo m e nuse it t o
co ngr a t ula t e
t h e m -
se lve sf o r
ga ining
ne w
po we r .
Th e ir r it ua l
po we r
h a s inf lue nce d t h e divine
de st r uct io no f t h e
bo unda r y
o f
ge nde r ba r r ing
t h e m f r o m
m a sk ing. Th e y
no w h a ve t h e ir o wncult a nd
o r ga nize
t h e ir o wn
pe r f o r m a nce ,
wh ich
t h e y
r e f e r t o a s a
sym bo l (a k a r a ).
It
sym bo lize s
t h e ir
po we r , st r uggle , f r e e do m ,
a nd
se pa r a t e ne ss.
No t
e ve r yo ne
sh a r e st h e e nt h usia sm o f t h e wo m e nm a sk e r s. Th e r e a r e
so m e
yo ung
m e nwh o r e se nt t h e ne wf o und
a ut h o r it y
o f wo m e n. Wh ile
t h e y
wo uld no t t h wa r t t h e
pe r f o r m a nce
be ca use o f it s
spir it ua lsignif ica nce , t h e y
wo uld no t
o pe nlya ck no wle dge
it se xist e nce . A
villa ge
t e a ch e r f r o m U nuh u
14
I Re se a r ch inAf r ica nLit e r a t ur e s
co m m unit ybla t a nt ly
a f f ir m e d t h a t wo m e ndid no t we a r m a sk :"Th a t
t h ing
is
no t o ur cult ur e . Cult ur e isa
pe o ple 'swa y
o f
do ing t h ings.
It isno t o ur
wa y.
Only
m e nwe a r m a sk s." Th isisa r e f usa l t o
a ck no wle dge ch a nge
int h e st a t us
o f wo m e n. Th e
spe a k e r
isr e se nt f ul o f t h e ne w
ph e no m e no n,
but h e is
po w-
e r le sst o
st o p
t h e
pe r f o r m a nce .
So m e o f t h e
yo ung
m e nwh o a r e cur io us
a bo ut t h e wo m e n'sm a sk
usua lly
t ur n
up
int h e a r e na . Th e
m a sk -f igur e
f r e -
que nt lyt a r ge t s
t h e m f o r use a s
a nt a go nist s
int h e
ch a sing ga m e .
No so o ne r
do
t h e y
r e ce ive la sh e so r
e sca pe
f r o m t h e m a sk e r t h a n
t h e y
r e t ur nf o r m o r e
r uns. Int h is
wa y, t h e ye njo y
t h e
pe r f o r m a nce
a nd t h isisa
sign
o f
a cce p-
t a nce .
Elde r ly
m e na r e
a ppr e cia t ive
o f
Ogbo do -U k e .
It isno t unco m m o nt o
se e a n
e lde r ly
m a no r wo m a n
a ppr o a ch ,
sa lut e ,
a nd e m br a ce t h e m a sk e r .
So m e t im e s
gif t s
a r e
give n. Be ing
a
f r ie ndlyspir it ,
t h e m a sk e r
usua lly
r e t ur ns
such
gr e e t ings.
It iscle a r t h a t t h e
r e ce pt io n
o f t h e wo m e n'sm a sk ism ixe d.
H e r be r t H . Co le a nd Ch ik e Ania k o r dr e w a sim ila r co nclusio na bo ut a
pe r f o r m a nce :
Ma le
r e ce pt io n
o f t h e f e m a le
Ogbo do -Enyi r a nge s
f r o m
o pe n
disda in
a nd a m use m e nt t o
gr e a t pr ide
int h e ir wo m e n's
pr ivile ge d
st a t us. Se v-
e r a l
yo ung
m e ndism iss it a sa lie but a ll o lde r
pe o ple
o f bo t h se xe st a k e
t h e
pe r f o r m a nce se r io usly. (158)
Th e co nt r o ve r sia l a t t it ude t o t h e wo m e n'sm a sk isno t
sur pr ising.
Mo st o f
t h e
t h ings
t h a t de via t e
dr a st ica lly
f r o m t r a dit io na r e no t
e a silya cce pt e d.
Ogbo do -U k e
isno t a n
e xce pt io n.
It s
pe r f o r m a nce by
wo m e nisa r a dica l
de via t io nf r o m t r a dit io n. It h a s
e m po we r e d
t h e wo m e nt o da nce wit h a
gr e a t
spir it .
It isa
t h ing
o f
pr ide
f o r t h e wo m e na nd t h e Izzi
pe o ple ir r e spe ct ive
o f
t h e
ne ga t ive
a t t it ude s. Th e
de gr e e
o f
co o pe r a t io n
be t we e nt h e wo m e na nd
t h e ir
co unt e r pa r t s
inm a le cult sa t t e st st o t h is. Th e f e m a le cult ist sr e ce ive d
t h e
suppo r t
o f m a le cult ist swh ile
ina ugur a t ing
t h e ir o wncult . Th e sa m e
ca r ve r sa nd co st um e r swh o wo r k f o r t h e m e nwe r e
co -o pt e d
t o wo r k f o r t h e
wo m e n. Th e wo m e na lso
f r e e ly
bo r r o w co st um e sa nd
st a ge pr o pe r t ie s
f r o m
t h e ir m a le
co unt e r pa r t s.
In
sh o r t ,
t h e ne w
o r ga niza t io n
r e lie so n
a cquir ing
t e ch nique s
f r o m t h e o lde r a nd m o r e
e xpe r ie nce d
cult s,
wh ich a r e a ll m e n's.
Th isk ind o f
co o pe r a t io n
be t we e nwo m e na nd m e ncult ist sh a sco nt inue d. It
be lie s
a nya nt a go nism
t o wa r dst h e wo m e n'scult .
Th e
wo m e n, h o we ve r ,
do no t se e t h e ir m a sk a s
a nt a go nist ic
t o t h e
m e n's. Th e ir
m a sk ing
isse e na sa na ct o f
r e de m pt io n
f o r t h e
co m m unit y.
It s
t h e a t r ica lit y
is
co m ple m e nt a r y
t o t h a t o f t h e m e n. Lik e it ssist e r
co unt e r pa r t
inLibe r ia a nd
Ivo r y
Co a st
(H ink le y40),
t h e cult a bide s
by
t h e co de st h a t
go ve r nm a sk ing
in
ge ne r a l,
f o r it is
pa r t
o f t h e
la r ge co m m unit y
o f m a sk cult s.
Th us,
t h e r e isa ce r t a in
de gr e e
o f
unit y
wit h m e n'scult s.
Wit h int h e co nco r d wit h o t h e r
cult s,
t h e wo m e n'scult isdif f e r e nt . It s
t h e a t r ica lit y
is
unique , ne w,
a nd
pa r a lle l
t o t h a t o f t h e m e n. Lik e t h e So wo
m a sk o f t h e
Sa nde ,
Ogbo do -U k e
isa
sign
o f
se pa r a t e ne ss,
f o r it
se gr e ga t e s
t h e wo m e n. It
pr o m o t e s
t h e ir sist e r h o o d in
sh a r ing
a co m m o n
e xpe r ie nce .
It
a lso
e xpr e sse s
t h e ir
inde pe nde nce .
Th e wo m e na r e no
lo nge r de pe nde nt
o n
t h e ir so nsa nd h usba ndsa s"vo ice s" int h e m a sk cult st h a t
r e le ga t e
t h e m t o
Ch inye r e
Gr a ce
Ok a f o r
1 15
t h e
pe r iph e r y. Th e y
no w f unct io nint h e ce nt e r
bywe a r ing
t h e
m a sk ,
co n-
t r o lling
t h e
pe r f o r m a nce ,
a nd
spe a k ing
wit h t h e ir o wn"vo ice "
t h r o ugh
t h e
so ngs
a nd dr a m a t ica ct io n.
Pr e vio usly,
wo m e nuse d t o
o ccupy
t h e
pe r iph e r y
o f t h e
m a sk ing pe r -
f o r m a nce inIzzi wh ile m e nf unct io ne d int h e ce nt e r a sa ct o r sa nd
o r ga nize r s.
Int h isk ind o f
sit ua t io n,
wo m e nuse d t o be t h e r e ce ive r so f t h e dr a m a t ic
ch a se
e piso de s
wh ile m e n
pla ye d
t h e r o le o f e xe cut o r so f t h e ch a se . Wit h t h e
bir t h o f wo m e n's
cult s,
t h e r o le swe r e r e ve r se d a nd wo m e nbe ca m e e xe cu-
t o r sint h e ir o wn
pr o duct io ns.
Th e ir ne w r o le a se xe cut o r sinst e a d o f r e ce iv-
e r sisa n
e xpr e ssio n
o f t h e wo m e n'svo ice . It isa k ind o f a nswe r t o t h e ir
po sit io n
int h e
pe r iph e r y
o f m e n's
pe r f o r m a nce . Th e y
ch o o se t h e
pe r f o r m e r s
a nd
cla ssif ya nt a go nist s
a nd
pr o t a go nist s
a t t h e ir will. In
sh o r t ,
t h e wo m e n
co nt r o l t h e
pr o duct io n.
Th e ne wf o und vo ice isa na ch ie ve m e nt t h a t m a k e sa
vigo r o uspo int
a bo ut wo m e n's
st r uggle s.
It sh o wst h a t
st r uggle
a nd
e m a ncipa t io n
a r e no t
ne w,
t h a t a subo r dina t e d
gr o up
will
a lwa ys
se e k
e m a ncipa t io n.
Th e wo m e n
o f Izzi use d t h e t r a dit io na l st r uct ur e s t o cr o sst h e
bo unda r y
a nd
e xpr e ss
t h e ir
o wnse lf t h e m se lve s. Th e sa m e st r uct ur e sa nd be lie f st h a t
h e lp
t o inh ibit
t h e m a r e t h e o ne st h a t a r e
m a nipula t e d
t o a id t h e ir
e m a ncipa t io n.
Th e
wo m e ncla im no t t o be inf lue nce d
by
t h e Wo m e n'sLibe r a t io nMo ve m e nt
f a vo r e d
by
t h e e duca t e d cla ss.6 Ye t it iscle a r t h a t bo t h t h e wo m e na nd m e n
h a ve h e a r d a bo ut t h e m o ve m e nt .7 Th e wo m e na r e a wa r e o f t h e ir subo r dina -
t io na nd e xclusio nf r o m
m a sk ing,
but
t h e y
a r e
unwilling
t o bla m e
so cie t y
f o r
t h is.
Inst e a d, t h e ypr e f e r
t o f o cuso nt h e
e xcit ing
r e sult o f t h e ir
st r uggle ,
wh ich ist h e
pe r f o r m a nce .
It isa n
e xpe r ie nce
wh ich h a s
put
t h e m ina
spe cia l
pla ce a m o ng Igbo
wo m e n,
a
pla ce
wh e r e
t h e yo r ga nize
a nd
ca r r y
t h e m a sk .
Th e
e xpe r ie nce
h a sla id t o r e st so m e co nt r o ve r sia l issue sa bo ut t h e
e xclusio no f wo m e nf r o m
ca r r ying
t h e m a sk . Pr e vio usr e se a r ch sh o wst h a t
t h e e xclusio nwa sba se d o n"t h e f a ct o f it s
be ing a ga inst
t r a dit io no f t h e ir
wise f o r e f a t h e r s" a nd t h e no t io nt h a t "wo m e na r e
ph ysica lly
we a k a nd
m a y
no t
co pe
wit h t h e
jo b
o f
m a sk -ca r r ying" (Ok a f o r ,
"Th e
Re je ct e d
Co r e r
St o ne "
27).
Izzi wo m e n's
m a sk ing
h a sillust r a t e d t h e
susce pt ibilit y
o f t r a di-
t io nt o
ch a nge .
It le nds
suppo r t
t o t h e no t io no f
Igbo
so cia l
f le xibilit y
wit h in
t h e
r igidit y
o f t h e t r a dit io n
(F ido 224).
Th e
ch a nge
wa s
po ssible
wit h int h e
cult ur a l
ga m ut
o f
Igbo
t r a dit io nt h a t co nt a inst h e se e dso f
ch a nge
such a st h e
f e m a le
pr inciple
a nd be lie f
syst e m
t h a t a f f e ct e d t h e
o r igin
o f wo m e n'sm a sk .8
Asf o r t h e m a sk
be ing
t o o
h e a vy
f o r
wo m e n,
t h e a ct r e sso f
Ogbo do -U k e
we a r sa sim ila r -a nd so m e t im e st h e sa m e -m a sk t h a t t h e m a le a ct o r we a r s
inm e n's
Ogbo do -Enyi
cult . Sh e
pe r f o r m s
t h e
r unning
a nd
ch a sing e piso de s
just
a sh e r m a le
co unt e r pa r t s.
Sh e h a sno t f a lle nin
pe r f o r m a nce .9
In
co nclusio n,
o ne wo uld no t e t h a t wo m e n's
m a sk ing
r e inf o r ce st h e
st r e ngt h
o f wo m e n's
po we r
in
Igbo
cult ur e a swe ll a st h e
f le xibilit y
o f t h e t r a -
dit io n. No m a t t e r h o w
r igid
a t r a dit io n
is,
it h a st o succum b t o
ch a nge s
wh e n
t h e co ndit io nsa r e
r ipe
f o r
ch a nge .
Th e
pe culia r
sit ua t io no f t h e wa r
ga ve
r ise
t o
inse cur it y
t h a t le d t o t h e
o r igin
o f wo m e n'sm a sk . It s
de ve lo pm e nt
t h r o ugh
t h e o r a cle sh o wst h e
supr e m a cy
o f
r e ligio n
a nd t h e
ca pa cit y
o f t h e
16 I Re se a r ch in
Af r ica n
Lit e r a t ur e s
be lie f
syst e m
t o init ia t e a
r e vo lut io na r ya ct ivit y
a nd co nt a in it s
e r upt ive
cr isis.
-I a m
gr a t e f ul
t o H o n.
Just ice
Eze
Ozo bu,
wh o se inf lue nce inAba k ilik i
a r e a m a de t h e a lm o st
im po ssible
f ie ld wo r k a r e a liza ble ve nt ur e in
1991,
a nd Mo la r a
Ogundipe -Le slie ,
wh o invit e d m e t o co nt r ibut e t o t h is issue
wh e nsh e visit e d
m yU nive r sit y
inDe ce m be r 1992.
NOTES
1All
m y
inf o r m a nt s m a int a int h a t it isa
spe cia lpr ivile ge
t o
be lo ng
t o a m a sk -
ing
cult .
2Acco r ding
t o t h e o r a lt r a dit io no f Ozua k o liinAbia St a t e o f
Nige r ia ,
a
wo m a no f f e r e d h e r lif e t o Ar o m a sk e r sinr e t ur nf o r h e r h usba nd wh o m
t h e yca p-
t ur e d o nh is
wa y
t o Ar o ch uk wu.
Im pr e sse d by
t h e wo m a n's
se lf -sa cr if ice ,
t h e m a sk -
e r s
t a ugh t
h e r t h e a r t o f
m a sk ing.
Ba ck h o m e in
Ozua k o li,
h e r h usba nd's
pe o ple
le a r nt t h e
pe r f o r m a nce
f r o m h e r a nd k ille d h e r so t h a t sh e wo uld ne ve r
im pa r t
t h e
k no wle dge
t o a no t h e r
gr o up.
In
Ar o ndizo gu
(Im o St a t e )
t h e r e isa
st o r yco nne ct ing
t h e
o r igin
o f Mm o nwu
m a sk ing
t o a wo m a n.
Acco r ding
t o t h e
st o r y, U go diya
h a d le f t h e r
h usba nd, Ok o ye
Im m o nwu,
int h e f a r m be ca use sh e h a d a f e ve r . Wh e nh e r h usba nd r e t ur ne d
h o m e ,
h e did no t f ind
h e r ,
so h e we nt ba ck t o lo o k f o r h e r int h e f a r m a r e a . Wh a t h e f o und
wa swh a t h e be lie ve d t o be a
"spir it ."
Th e
spir it
wa s
o nlyU gudiya
wh o h a d co ve r e d
h e r se lf wit h clo t h be ca use sh e wa s
f e e ling
co ld.
U go diya
wa s, t h e r e f o r e ,
t h e f ir st
m a sk
pe r f o r m e r .
H e r
m a sk ing
la id t h e f o unda t io no f
m a sk ing
wh ich no t
o nly
e xclude d h e r but a ssum e d h e r h usba nd's
na m e ,
Mm o nwu.
3Th e Odo
m a sk ing
o f
Nsuk k a -Igbo o r igina t e d t h r o ugh
a
wo m a n,
a wido w
na m e d
U r unye
a nd h e r
ba by
so n
(Ene k we 157).
Th e ch o ice o f a wido w wit h ch ild is
sym bo lic
o f t h e
lif e -giving
f o r ce o f wo m e n.
Am o ng
t h e
Ana m br a -Igbo ,
t h e
bigge st
co m m una l
m a sk , Ije le
is
a lwa ys
le d
by
a
po we r f ul
m o t h e r
f igur e
ca lle d Nne
Ije le
(m o t h e r
o f
Ije le )
wh o se
supe r na t ur a l po we r
is
r e put e d
t o e nsur e t h e m a sk 's
sa f e t y.
Th isisa ne xt e nsio no f t h e
lif e -giving
a nd
lif e -nur t ur ing
f unct io no f wo m e n.
4Th isisa na r e a t h a t isst ill unde r
inve st iga t io n
be ca use it is
ne ce ssa r y
t o
a ppr e cia t e
t h e
im pulse
a nd m o t ive t h a t inf lue nce d t h e
a ge nt .
STr a nsla t o r s
pr e se nt
t wo
int e r pr e t a t io ns:
1. One wh o
co nque r sh unge r .
2. One wh o
k e e psco m pa ny
wit h f a r m la nd. Th e
dive r ge nce
a r o se f r o m t h e use o f t h e
wo r d
"Egu" m e a ning
"f a r m " o r
"h unge r ."
In
spit e
o f t h e
discr e pa ncy
in
t r a nsla t io n,
bo t h
int e r pr e t a t io ns
unde r line a k ind o f
pr o we ss
inf a r m wo r k .
6Izzi
isno t a s
de ve lo pe d
a so t h e r a r e a so f
Igbo la nd.
Th e
pe o ple
a r e no t a s
o pe n
t o ne w ide a sa so t h e r a r e a s.
Th us,
o ne wa sincline d t o be lie ve Ma da m Mba m 'sa sse r -
t io nt h a t
Ogbo do -U k e
h a d
no t h ing
t o do wit h Wo m e n'sLibe r a t io n
pe r
se .
My
dis-
cussio nwit h h e r r e ve a lst h a t it h a d t o do wit h wo m e n's
st r uggle s
wit h int h e cult ur e .
Wo m e no f Izzidid no t le a r no f t h e ir subo r dina t io nf r o m e duca t e d wo m e n.
Th e y
we r e
t a ck ling
t h e ir
pr o ble m s
int h e ir o wn
wa ys.
7One o f t h e m e nwh o we r e h o st ile t o
m yinquir yblunt ly
t o ld m e t h a t
t h e y
did
no t a llo w "Wo m e n'sLibe r a t io nint h is
pla ce ,"
e ve nwh e nI h a d no t
sugge st e d a ny
such
t h ing.
Th ism o t iva t e d
m y
la t e r
inquir y
int o t h e
po ssibilit y
o f
a ny
co nne ct io n
wit h t h e m o ve m e nt .
8Th e
o r igin
o f
Ogbo do -U k e
r a ise sa vit a l
que st io n
a bo ut t h e a sso cia t io no f
wo m e n's
st r uggle
wit h cr isis
po int s
in
Igbo la nd.
One wo nde r swh e t h e r ne w st r uc-
t ur e sh a ve
o r igina t e d t h r o ugh
o t h e r cr isis
po int s
in
h ist o r y.
Th iswo uld be a ne xcit -
ing
a r e a o f
r e se a r ch ,
give n
t h e
wa y
o ld st r uct ur e s a r e m o dif ie d a nd ne w o ne s
de ve lo p
t o co nt a int h e
e xige ncie s
o f cr isissit ua t io nsin
Igbo la nd.
Ch inye r e
Gr a ce
Ok a f o r
1 17
9Th e r e
is, h o we ve r ,
t h e
st o r y
o f a wo m a nwh o r e f r a ine d f r o m
co nt inuing
ca r -
r ying
t h e m a sk be ca use "t h e
spir it
wa s
wo r r ying
h e r ." H e r wit h dr a wa l f r o m
m a sk ing
wa s
spir it ua l
r a t h e r t h a n
ph ysica l.
Ano t h e r wo m a nco nt inue d wit h t h e t a sk .
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