The Masqurade Dance

What major historical events do you remember?

The Masqurade Dance

I recall being enthralled, as were everyone else, but especially my age-mates, when I returned from school on holidays and saw that my community had organised such an event. For centuries, people have celebrated the historical event known as the okorosha dance. It has a history and tradition that predates Igbo history. As my father says.

I was twenty-five years old, and I’ve never seen our community engage in or perform this custom. When I enquired as to why, I was informed that it was postponed for decades because of misunderstandings that plagued the community. 

I recall playing with sheep masks that had been carved when I was kid. I was familiar with the mask since we frequently travel to nearby communities that engage in masquerade dancing, particularly during holidays. 

We used to parade the entire community and nearby villages as children, dressed in masqurade costumes, carrying drums and other instruments as we moved from one compound to another, performing and showcasing our songs and dance abilities.searching for tips, Sometimes we returned with large sums of money, which we divided among ourselves.

Nevertheless, there hasn’t been an official Okorosha dance performed in the community before. 

Since the masquerade dance was long awaited and such an event drew the community together, it was like a wildfire when word got out about the community agreement to host it.

I was in my prime as a teenager and had just been accepted into university.

As tradition requires; Two masquerades from each of the villages that comprise our community will perform in the village square

Villagers and nearby relatives flocked to the square on that auspicious day to watch the reenactment of history,. having stood patiently as other towns’ dancers performed. The crowd cheered as the masqurade from my village appeared on stage and began dancing joyfully to the beat of the drums. Even though I didn’t have a costume, I was so excited that I raced into the square and danced along. In exhilaration, I gave the artists all of the money I had in my pocket while dancing to my heart’s content. After the Dance 

I then made the decision to return home. However, when I got home, my parents and older siblings had already heard about my extravagant dance and were waiting for me to come back. My older brother challenged me at home about the money I was given to keep, which I couldn’t explain because I had dispersed it while enthralled with the ancient masquerade dance. An historical event I will always remember