ABSTRACT
Recently, there is a strong awareness that has been created in the study of African culture, including that of the Igbo. In Ezeagụ, the concept of masquerade is based on the concept of interaction between the living and the dead. In fact, to a good number of people in Ezeagụ Culture Area, the masquerade means a lot of things. The masquerade is metaphorically used in Ezeagụ. That is why every male in the culture area is addressed as masquerade. This work looks at the metaphoric aspects of the masquerade using Ezeagụ as an example. In Ezeagụ, the masquerade is a communal symbol because masquerade performances are taken very seriously by the people. When its performance is successful, the people feel proud and fulfilled, for success is an index of the solidarity and moral health of its people. The masquerade is metaphorical in Ezeagụ when we look at it from the perspectives of physical human attributes, entertainment, and in its behavioural patterns. The masquerade performs a lot of social, religious and security function in Ezeagụ Therefore, we can look at the masquerade and everything about it as a human. It also metaphorically performs spiritual functions and that is why the masquerade is said to be a spirit in the area. But finally, the masquerade in Ezeag ụ culture area is neither human nor spirit. The masquerade is metaphor in Ezeagụ.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TIIILE PAGE
ABSTRACT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ANNEXURE
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.3 Objectives of the Study
1.4 Scope or Delimitation of the Study
1.5 Research Questions
1.6 Significance of the Study
1.7 Historical Background and Geographical Location of Ezeagu Culture Area
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.0 Introduction
2.1 Theoretical Studies
2.1.1 Concept of Metaphor
2.1.2 Origin of Masquerade
2.1.3 Functions of the Masquerade
2.1.4 Mmọnwụ as an Institution
2.1.5 Mmọnwụ as Cult
2.16 Entertainment
2.1.7 Employment
2.1.8 Physical and Moral Education
2.2 Empirical Studies
2.3 Theoretical Framework
2.3.1 Features of Metaphor
2 4 Summary of the Literature Review
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Method of Data Collection
3.2.1 Library Work
3.2.2 Fieldwork
3.2.3 Personal Observation
3.3 Research Population
3.4 Research Instrument
3.5 Method of Data Analysis
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS
4.1 The Costumes
4.1.1 Agbọghọ Mmọnwụ
4.1.2 The Ijele Masquerade Head Piece
4.1.3 The Atụ and Agaba Masquerades
4.1.4 Other Unnamed Masquerades
4.2 Objects
4.2.1 Use of Fan
4.2.2 Use of Whip
4.2.3 Use of White Chalk
4.2.4 Use of Ọfọ and Ogu
4.2.5 The Use of Awọrọ
4.2.6 The Matchete
4.2.7 The Flute
4.2.8 The Ọmụ
4.2.9 The Iron and Wooden Gongs, the Drums and the Tortoise Shell
4.2.10 The Mirror
4.3 The Gun
4.4 Religious and Social Activities
CHAPTER FIVE: FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION
5.1 Findings
5.2 Conclusion
REFERENCES
APPENDIX
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
In Igboland in general and Ezeagụ culture area in particular, the concept of masquerade is based on the concept of interaction between the living and the dead. This concept, has in no small measure, helped the traditional Igbo society to evolve a device for social control in its different communities.
However, what is involved in the masquerade has been grouped into three elements - the supernatural, the display and the mimetic elements. It is a fact, that the presence of a masquerade or a masked figure in a community is a display of some sort, with hypnotic effects, as it attracts attention and draws crowds. But this, in fact, must not be taken as the raison d’etre of the masquerade. It is important also to note the religious and supernatural airs and mysticism surrounding the mask. This is evident in the way it is respected and the feats that it is often believed to be capable of achieving.
In fact, to a good number of people, the masquerade means a lot of things. Some see the masquerade as an agent of social control, while others see it as the appearance of the dead among the living. There are still others who see the masquerade as mere entertainment that appears and performs during festival or ceremonies. In some other cases, it is seen as an identity of a particular group of people.
However, this study tries to investigate the masquerade as a metaphor, in Ezeagụ cultural area.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The masquerade has been defined in various ways. Some see the masquerade as a physical representation of ancestral spirits, while others see it as a celebration and merry making agent. Some others like Onyeneke (1987) see it as, the dead among the living. Okafor (1990) sees it as spirit manifest, while Enekwe (1987) sees it as theatre.
Another group of people try to give a literary meaning to the word ‘Mmọnwụ’. ‘Mmọnwụ’ is the Igbo name for masquerade. Ugonna (1984) is of the opinion that the word mmọnwụ is derived from two Igbo words ‘mmụọ’ - spirit and ‘nwụ’ - death, which could be interpreted as spirit of the dead. The above explanation then implies that ‘Mmọnwụ’ is conceived as a manifestation or concretization of the spirits of dead ancestors.
These spirits make reappearances in the form of ‘mmọnwụ’ when the need arises.
Many, as we pointed out earlier, have written about Igbo Masquerade (including Onyeneke, 1987; Enekwe, 1987; Okafor, 1990; Ozọfọr, 2009, etc. Many of them see the masquerade as the coming back of the spirits of the dead.......
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