Mmanwu // ⓘ is a traditional masquerade of the Igbo people of Southeastern Nigeria. They are performed only by males in exclusive secret societies and involve the use of elaborate, colorful costumes that are meant to invoke ancestral spirits. [1] .

Masquerades (Mmanwu) are held in accordance with the community native calendars during festivals, annual festivities, burial rites and other social gatherings. The masquerades are geared in colourful robes and masks made of wood or fabric.

Jul 8, 2017 · Mmanwu is a name for a traditional Igbo masquerade. It is meant to embody both the spirit and the human world and how they coexist. Despite the ever-present Western influence, mmanwu remains true to itself. There are several Igbo …

May 18, 2015 · The Mmanwu festival is a celebration of masquerades. These masquerades are believed to be a re-incarnation of the spirit of the dead. In other words, the spirit of the dead is invoked into a masquerade.

Maskers, often referred to as mmanwu, also perform special rituals at ceremonies and rites of passage. Prior to the early 1900s, mmanwu played important judicial and policing roles in Igbo society. Masquerades typically occur outside during …

The best and most recommended time to witness the Mmanwu festival of Igbo nation is during the festive seasons when the sons and daughters of the tribe return home from their base in different parts of the world.

Feb 9, 2013 · Mmanwu is a traditional masquerade of the Igbos, to whom it used to be a major form of entertainment. Masquerades can differ from community to community, and from village to village. Masquerades festivals generally last for weeks and some may span over months, and were performed during the end of the harvest or start of the new planting season.

Aug 28, 2024 · More than merely a cultural event, masquerades (Mmanwu) are a rich statement of the spiritual, social, and cultural identity of the Igbo people. Masquerades are a live connection between the past and the present, the physical and the spiritual, with rich costumes, symbolic masks, and ceremonial acts.

Mmanwu is a traditional masquerade of the Igbo people of Southeastern Nigeria. They are performed only by males in exclusive secret societies and involve the use of elaborate, colorful costumes that are meant to invoke ancestral spirits.

The Mmanwu festival, which features large displays of masquerades from various communities performing together, is aimed at preserving aspects of Igbo cultural heritage. They are performed only by males in exclusive secret societies and involve the use of elaborate, colorful costumes that are meant to invoke ancestral spirits.