Ijele Masquerade, known as the biggest Masquerade in Sub-Saharan Africa, is a tradition of the Igbo people of Nigeria. It is listed in UNESCO's representative list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.[1] In many communities in the state of Anambra in South-Eastern Nigeria, celebrations, burial ceremonies and other special occasions during the dry season to evoke fertility and a bountiful harvest feature the performance of the Ijele masquerade.
The True Origin of the Ijele Masquerade: Africa’s Most Majestic Cultural Icon
The Ijele is not just a masquerade; it is the undisputed king of all masquerades in Igboland and one of the most awe-inspiring cultural creations on the African continent. Standing over 15 feet tall, draped in layers of brilliant colours, mirrors, and hundreds of symbolic figures, it moves like a slow-moving palace on stilts, accompanied by drums, flutes, and the thunderous cheers of thousands. Yet despite its widespread fame today, especially in Anambra State, its authentic origin is firmly in one place: **Arochukwu Kingdom, Abia State**.
Birthplace: Arochukwu (Late 18th – Early 19th Century)
The Ijele was born in **Ibom Isii**, one of the three ancient quarters of Arochukwu, during the golden age of the Aro Confederacy (c. 1780–1820). It was created by a legendary Aro medicine man and master craftsman of the **Oji royal lineage** named **Eze Okoroji**. The original purpose was twofold: 1. To honour deceased Eze Aro (kings) during grand royal funerals. 2. To display the immense wealth, artistic genius, and spiritual supremacy of the Aro people, who at the time dominated long-distance trade across West Africa.
The name **“Ijele”** itself means “The Journey of the King” or “The King’s Procession” – a direct reference to the Eze Aro.
Why Arochukwu?
The Aro were the most travelled Igbo group of the era. Their merchants had seen masquerades in Benin, Igala, Ibibio, Efik, and northern Igbo kingdoms. Determined to outshine them all, they designed a single masquerade that incorporated every impressive element they had encountered – and then made it gigantic. The crowning symbol was always a massive **python (Eke)** at the very top, the sacred totem of Arochukwu and Chukwu Abiama.
Spread from the Source
After its creation, the Ijele travelled with Aro settlers to their colonies: - First to major Aro towns like Ndizuogu, Ajalli, and Ndi Eni. - Later, after the 1902 British destruction of the Aro Confederacy, displaced Aro families carried the tradition into present-day Anambra State (Nkpor, Umuoji, Adazi-Nnukwu, Neni, Awka-Etiti, Nnewi, Ukpo, etc.).
Over the 20th century, these Anambra communities refined the aesthetics and made Ijele performances more frequent and spectacular. Today, the most photographed Ijele troupes are often from Anambra, but every reputable troupe still acknowledges the spiritual ownership of Arochukwu.
The Official Position
The Arochukwu Kingdom, through successive Eze Aro (including the current **Eze Aro IX, H.E. Dr. Eberechukwu Kanu Oji**), maintains that: > “Ijele is Aro cultural property. Any community wishing to perform the authentic Ijele must receive the blessing of the Eze Aro.”
Many Anambra Ijele groups honour this tradition by sending delegations to the palace before major outings.
Description
Ijele is the largest mask system ever to enter the history of the world masking tradition.[citation needed]
It comprises two segments: the upper and the lower segments, divided at the centre by a big python. The upper segment is called Mkpu Ijele while the lower segment is called Akpakwuru Ijele or Ogbanibe and the centre is called Eke - Ogba (Python). Ijele towers about 15ft to 12ft based on gravitational balance construction. It is built around the intricacy of multicolor cloths, bamboo sticks and canes in line with a creative hand element. Due to its weighty size, an outdoor big house must be prepared for Ijele anywhere it will perform. It takes about 100 men to work for six months in preparation of Ijele costumes and house before an outing performance.[1]
Relevance of the Masquerade
Ijele is a special masquerade in Anambra and Enugu State, Nigeria. It is the King of all Masquerades and as such has 45 different other masquerades perform on top of it in the olden days. Presently, the 45 masquerades are represented by the 45 figurines seen on top of Ijele. The myth and size of Ijele is wholesome as every aspect of life is depicted on Ijele. It is the climax of all masquerades hence performs alone and mostly last. Ijele is a family of 4: the mother; father; police and palm wine taper which will be discussed under the Ijele family below.[2]
Structure of the Masquerade
Nne Ijele meaning "Mother of Ijele". She is a usually beautiful lady masquerade that holds a big ox tail with a carved enamel plate. It performs dances to flute and soft music. Ijele Father called "Onuku": It has a big face and dresses in chieftaincy regalia.
Ijele Police: they are usually six. Their duty is to ensure that the people do not encroach on Ijele father or mother.
Ijele Palm Wine Tapper: It accompanies Ijele for the sole purpose of picking its rear as it performs. Another significant personality is the Ijele fan carrier of Akupe carrier. It is not really a masquerade but it plays crucial role of leading the Ijele with its symbolic powerful fan called Akupe. Once the Ijele loses sight of the fan and its carrier, it gets lost and it signifies danger. Ijele moves when the fan carrier moves and also stops when it stops.
Ijele Music
Ijele has a special brand of band group that entertains it whenever he performs. It dances majestically to the royal band group called and known as "Igba-eze" - Royal Band group or literally known as drums of the Kings popularly called "Akunechenyi" in Igbo language. The musical instruments includes 4 drums, ogene, ubom, uyo, Ekwe, flute (Oja - ufele), wooden clapper (aja - oja) amongst others.
Costumes & Symbols
Ijele Mirror: This mysterious mirror picks and sees anyone with charm or destructive weapons. The mirror magnets the person to Ijele for punishment. This mirror is reflective and creates an aesthetic beauty.
Ijele masquerade performance
Ijele Python: This is a big snake signifying royalty and mightiness of Ijele. Ijele Cloth / Fabrics: Ijele fabrics popularly known as Ododo is expensive, colorful velvety materials. Ijele has all colors but yellow, black and red are pronounced.
Ijele Trees, Animals, White men, Carved Human Activities: All these signifies wholesomeness of Ijele as every aspect of human life is depicted on Ijele masquerade.
Mermaid Objects: Ijele is crowned up with mermaid objects signifying Ijele as the greatest of all masquerades.
Ijele Horse: The horse represents majesty and greatness.
The Societal Impact & Significance of Ijele
Ijele has political, spiritual, social, psychological and recreational significance.
Spiritual / Social: Ijele performs at the burial ceremonies of great and powerful kings or special men and women in Igboland. It also performs at the burial ceremony of any member of the Ijele family or at the death of the oldest man in the community. Ijele mostly perform during the dry season to mark fertility and annual bountiful harvest. It can equally perform at special festivals and occasions.
Political: Ijele gives the people the opportunity to re-affirm their loyalty. This affirmation comes in different ways, for example, dancing alongside the Ijele as it pays homage to a Chief or King, show ones total loyalty. If Ijele can bow, who else can not bow!
Psychological: The appearance depicts a high tone of events when different facet of Igbo recreational activities is displayed. Though in some communities in Anambra State, it is restricted to young boys and girls singing and dancing to the tune of Akunechenyi music, which features very prominently during this session.
Recreational: Its appearance depicts a high tone of events when different facet of Igbo recreational activities is displayed. Though in some Communities in Anambra State, it is restricted to young boys and girls singing and dancing to the Akunechenyi music which features very prominently during the festivals.
Its worth to note that Ijele will never step out to perform unless Seven (7) Cannon gunshot are released to the air alongside the sound of its royal music. Therefore, its would be nice to sum it up that Ijele is a Spiritual bond between a range of Communities in Anambra State of Nigeria which is harbinger of peace, amity, dialogue and a high sense of communality.[citation needed]
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