HISTORY AND ORIGIN OF IJELE MASQUERADE IN IGBO LAND

HISTORY AND ORIGIN OF IJELE MASQUERADE IN IGBO LAND

The Ijele masquerade was introduced into Aguleri masquerade union as a remembrance of the giant warlord named Anukili N’Ugama, who hailed from Ugama family of Eziagulu Aguleri. Now known as Umu Ugama village of Eziagulu Aguleri.

Anukili was supposed to be a blessing to Aguleri as a whole, because of his size and exploits in war against the enemies of the communities, but turned back to use the powers against his own community.
He engaged in the acts of forcefully taking what does not belong to him, beating and punishing anyone who fails to abide to his orders. Going from house to house eating people’s food, leaving them in hunger.

After many years of a failed attempt to make him understand that his powers are meant to use against the enemies in protection of his own people, the people of Aguleri had no other option but to eliminate him, so that the terror will come to an end, just like the time of Onoja nwa Oboli.

The elders put him to a text which saw the end of the great Anukili N’Ugama.

The elders approached him, told him that a festival has been fixed in the honour of him, and for him to show the community and their environs that he’s the strongest man in the world. Anukili did not hesitate to accept this, not knowing it’s a show that will finally see his end. In Igbo adage; We do say that (Odogwu a na-enwero uche). “This means that mighty warriors do lack wisdom”.

On that day, Anukili was told that he was going to stand and allow the villagers build a house around him, using him as the pillar that holds the house. He agreed, and this was done, with the bests of strong woods and thatches. After this was done, which took almost the whole day, Anukili was told to start dancing with the house built on him, which he did. While he was dancing to the Akwuneche Enyi band, the people set the thatch around him on fire. Anukili, on noticing that he had been fooled, with his mighty strength roar and began a journey down to Agbanambo Ezu na Omambala as the only place that could help in calming the fire, as his people whom he had trusted had betrayed him already and no longer any need to ask anyone of them for help. With the house built on him and the fire that was burning it, matched tirelessly into the road leading to Agbanambo Ezu na Omambala rivers. Getting there, he walked into the river and that was his end.

While he was journeying through the river, he turned back in pain and cursed his people, Ugama family, that there will never be a great man in that family ever again. This curse stayed with the Umu Ugama for so many centuries until recently in the 21st century, when they made the necessary sacrifices to appease their hero and also gave him the befitting burial. This curse dealt with Umu Ugama in the terms of long life, wealth and popularity.

In remembrance of Anukili N’Ugama, after some of his demise, and having realized that we were wrong in ending a life of a brother, no matter his bad deeds, Ijele masquerade was presented by the Akwunechenyi dance group of Igboezunu Aguleri, as a tribute and a respect to Anukili. And also, to appease his spirit, otherwise known as an informal way of asking for forgiveness. This development from Igboezunu Aguleri does not stop the spirit of Anukili from hunting Umu Ugama.

NB: In the olden days, Ijele masquerade only shows up during a festival of remembrance of Anukili, held by the Akwunechenyi dance group of Igboezunu Aguleri, and was later recognized by the whole community. Now in Igbo land in general.
Now, we can say it also appears during a burial of a king and prominent men. Good to state that it is the only Igba Akwunechenyi that the Ijele masquerade dances and it is recognized worldwide at the moment.

Igboezunu dance group known as Akwunechenyi, took the step of recognizing a brother who was killed for his wrong doings, by introducing the Ijele, because Igboezunu was the first son of Agulu, the founder of Aguleri.

Anukili N’Ugama was from Ugama family of Eziagulu. Eziagulu was the last of the four sons of Agulu. The remaining two sons of Agulu are Ivite, the second son and Enugwu, the third son.