We woke up early on Tuesday morning (11th January 2022) making preparations to travel to Enugu State, Nigeria for my auntie's father in-law burial. We were supposed to leave as early as 6:30am since it's a very far journey, instead we left 8:30am. After much preparation, we encountered some challenges on our way.
First we forgot somethings at home, so we had to go back. The other one was the traffic we meant at Onicha bridge, it took us up to an hour at the bridge before we could pass through. That is Nigeria for you, whenever you enter Nigeria, one thing you must encounter is the traffic. Lol
I had to capture this lady selling Opa on my way, @kenechukwu97 I hope I got the spelling right? It's been awhile since I last ate this food. I heard it's the Igbos that knows how to prepare this food very well. Whenever you get to Nigeria, try to taste this, it's really sweet.
The Umu-Ada were neatly dressed in their blue attire. My aunt is the one on white attire, on our way to Enugu State, we sang and prayed while on the bus. After praying, we ate and drank water before getting to our destination. We got to the place at 1:25pm, at first I thought we were late, but it was the opposite of it.
The Igbos celebration is mostly during the evening hours, I was curious why their tradition is like that, but my aunt told me that it has always been like that. Even their marriage celebration is also during the evening hours. Lol
Getting to the venue, my aunties and uncles were happy to see each other. They both hugged themselves, I was very happy to also see my aunt after a very long time. We all went to sit down under the canopy, while the chiefs were performing the burial rituals before heading to the main venue for the burial.
They were varieties of foods to eat and drinks for everyone. They prepared bitter leaf soup with pounded yam, ogbonor soup and pounded yam, Jollof rice and chicken with salad. Many food for everyone, but I choose ogbonor soup and pounded yam 😋, it was really delicious, especially the dry fish and stock fish that was in the soup. It was very tasty 😋.
While we were eating and drinking, the traditional music players that came with us from Delta state was busy entertaining us with their wonderful and mind-blowing music and dance. They played for sometime before we headed to the main venue. The first place we stayed was my auntie's husband's house, as it is the tradition to first visit the first son before going to the burial ground.
While they were singing, my aunties decided to open the floor with our traditional dance moves. Lol, I never really knew my aunt could dance the way she did, it was really amazing videoing and taking a picture of them dancing.
We were set to match to the burial ground, to meet with the other people. The Traditional Music players lead the way by playing and dancing to the music. I'm the one on the second picture at the front taking selfie with the traditional music players, I was actually dancing then I realized I haven't taken a picture of me with anyone, so I had to take a shot before anything else. I was really stressed out, but there was enough strength in me to do anything I wanted. Lol
When we arrived at the venue, we met another Traditional Music players from Enugu State, they were neatly dressed with their red attire, playing their music with the traditional flute and drums, it was really fun seeing two different traditional music players, playing differently. The event was colourful
When I thought I've seen it all, was when the masquerades started entering one after the other. The M.C said that 20 masquerades will display at the burial. I had to ask my aunt if that was how the masquerades come whenever they have burial ceremony, but she said they only come out for chiefs, meaning my aunt's father-in-law was a chief before he died.
I got to understand that chief's burial is celebrated in a grand way. It was worth it because he died at the age of 101 years. This is called celebration of life in my home town.
I also asked why the masquerades didn't come out together, but they said if the come out together, they might beginning to fight each other since they are not the same masquerades. I was also told that back then in those days, whenever a masquerade wants to come out, the women/ladies will have to go inside to hide because it was forbidden for a lady to see a masquerade.
But everything is modernized now, anyone can see the masquerade without being harmed. But to some extent, a lady is not allowed to film or snap them, as most of them carry charms around their bodies and might harm the ladies. Lol, hilarious right, I found it funny at first until I was almost caught taking a picture of them. Because I was a visitor in the land, and didn't know their laws, I was pardon and was told never to snap them again.
This particular one is for entertainment, he comes out just to dance and entertain people in an occasion, according to them, this particular one does not harm anyone.
This one moves together, they're being tied to each other, I didn't ask much questions on this particular one, but I noticed many people where running away from it, even the men where also running away from it, so I guessed this particular one can harm anyone.
I guess this one should be the strongest because he came with a chief priest. I was real scared when I saw it, usually I do watch them in movies, but I've never come across them before.
They were many of them but we couldn't wait for all to come out because we had a long journey ahead of us. We had to go back to Delta state that same day. It was really a hectic day for everything.
On our way back home, we experience some difficulties, but thank God we got home safely. It was really a memorable day for me, I day I will never forget, I day I came across masquerades face-to-face.
I'm sure @merit.ahama, @iskafan and @readthisplease won't be scared seeing a masquerade for the first time like the way I was. I held my aunt's hands while we were about leaving the place because the masquerades were so much. I'm sure my friends will even walk pass them boldly without any fear in them. 😆
I'm also sure @dreemsteem would love to experience something like this. If I may ask, is there anything like masquerade in your country @dreemsteem?
Thanks for reading my post, I hope you enjoyed it.
Lol... This is a funpacked experience for you. Lol.
Lemme start with the Okpa. Yeah, the spelling is Okpa, but you are forgiven. Hehe. I ate that when I went to villa during Christmas period. That food is a good one. Unfortunately, I can't eat it anyother place except in Enugu or the oke prepared in my home. Hehe
About that masquerade stuff, I don't know if there is still a strong spirituality attachment to them. It's all for cruising. Heheh.
Well Done ✌️
Thank God it's all just a cruise lol
Thanks for the corrections, I really love Okpa.
It was really fun
Hahaha, of course, I'll be scared 😳.... Lol. I still remember my parents telling us to behave well else they will give us up to masquerades 🤣🤣🤣
I see you enjoyed the marriage. And you shared your experience with us. It's amazing. Thanks for the tag, I enjoyed reading this. 💞💞💞
I wonder how your face will look like when you see a masquerade standing beside you. Lol
I don't just want to imagine, because mine was scary. I was thinking you're stronger than I am, but I didn't know you will be scared too 😆
Anyways, thanks for reading my post
Hahaha, I am scared oooo 😂😂. I am sure this fish , @merit.ahama would be scared too. 🤣🤣🏃🏾♀️🏃🏾♀️🏃🏾♀️
Let's be sacred together because my own sacred won't be enough 🤣
I swear 😂😂😂. That's a good plan 😅😅
Lemme oooooo 😝😝
@merit.ahama will run for her life if she even hear that a masquerade is coming to her area😂😆
Is not me that type it ooo🚶🚶
Wow wow wow 😳 masquerade, it's really been long I saw masquerade, the last time was like 10 years now when I traveled back home and it turned out that it was also the masquerade festive then.
Those ones that are tied together, I remembered when I asked why they where being tied together? They explained that the two masquerade are family like father and son, the father will be in the front and the son will be following behind.lol😜
Anyway thanks for sharing, I enjoyed watching them ❤️🌹
I didn't even know they're father and son. I was just wondering why they were tied together. Lol
It was actually the first time I saw masquerade and I was happy, it's such a memorable experience
Thanks for passing by
You are welcome 🤗
Oh my goodness!!!!!!!!!! wow!!!! this is so amazing to see
I love getting snippets of culture like this - it's incredible to see all the different aspects. And so it was this elaborate because he was the chief?
We don't have anything like this - no... but wow, I'd like to experience it!
It's amazing that women weren't allowed to see this at some point and now they're allowed to - and you mentioned that peopel aren't allowed to take pictures, but then you can see in one of your pictures another man is taking a photo too hehehehe
well since you did - now we are able to see all about it! Thank you for sharing this!
Only the women are not allowed to take pictures, but the men can, that was what I was told. I was actually hiding in the canopy while taking mine so I wouldn't be caught in the process.😂
Thank you very much.
😂 I fear pass you o my friend... Even the picture don dey scare me 🤣
Nor be small enjoyment that day o, see the arrangement for that plate nau 😋
You are doing well my sweet, this post is amazing!!! 🤭
Don't worry, I will prepare something like this for you when we see.
Thanks baby, I really appreciate
Ayamcomi oooo 🤭
This is sweeting me already, please be fast I have really missed you. We have a lot to catch up with 😜
Awww I'm coming right away baby 😇
See person pikin 😝
I like the image-article format where you don't just slap photos into the article and call it a day. It helps readers like me see from your perspective. A picture is worth a thousand words, but you can't always understand those words unless they're communicated.
I hate leaving things at home when travel. I have to sit down and wonder about the things that can occur and what I need before I leave the house.
Have a great weekend.
It was because we were in a hurry that was why, we remembered a day before only for us to forget while rushing to put other things in the vehicle. Lol
Thanks, I'm glad you could understand what I have written.
Reading this just reminded me of my culture. 😂 I have seen a masquerade before and I was also scared
Since you have come encounter with a masquerade, it means you won't be scared anymore if you come across it again 😅
I really love the tribe, it made me ask my aunt why my village don't have masquerade festival. Hehehe
The day I saw a masquerade, I almost lost my mind because of how they behaved, I have not been to the east before but I have heard lot of stories about their ceremonies and festivals, interesting!. I hope you enjoyed your stay.
Yes I enjoyed my stay, thanks for stopping by
Congratulations @otuyanancy! You have completed the following achievement on the Hive blockchain and have been rewarded with new badge(s):
Your next target is to reach 2500 upvotes.
You can view your badges on your board and compare yourself to others in the Ranking
If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word
STOPCheck out the last post from @hivebuzz:
Support the HiveBuzz project. Vote for our proposal!