Have you ever wondered why certain things appear or sound strange to seeing or hearing? Most of such occurrences have been a part of a culture.
It is a known fact that the Igbo are the second largest group of people living in southern Nigeria! They are one of the three major tribes in Nigeria. They consist of many subgroups and are known to be socially and culturally diverse. Although Igbos are mostly Christians today, they have a deep and original culture.
In this Retro post, NAIJ.com looks deep into the culture and norms of Igbo people. The monarch of ancient Nri Kingdom, popularly referred to as Eze Nri, is the only king in Igboland forbidden from seeing masquerades.
READ ALSO: Retro: Life of 82-year-old Taiwo Akinkunmi who designed the Nigerian flag (photos)
According to Igbo customs and traditions, as long as Eze Nri lives, he shall not set is eyes on any masquerade either within his kingdom or outside his kingdom while on duty or in passing. This is because Igbos regard masquerades as spirits.
Photo taken by Northcote W. Thomas in 1910 as Obalike sounds his bell
Eze Nri is narrated to have been symbolically dead and buried before he was crowned king yet still appears to ordinary eyes. He is generally regarded as a higher spirit and therefore cannot see smaller spirits like masquerades.
PAY ATTENTION: Get hottest gist on Naija Uncensored Facebook Group
Apart from the fact that masquerades could not be displayed anywhere, Eze Nri is present; no masquerade is allowed to make official passage through the palace of Eze Nri. Similarly, Eze Nri also is forbidden from seeing a corpse which is also in existence in Yoruba land and other things which are part of the Igbo customary laws that guide and protect the divine throne of the Nri Kingdom which is the ancestral home of all Igbos.
Art by Leugi
PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigeria’s #1 news app
The report further revealed that in case Eze Nri sees a masquerade by mistake, a sacrifice must be performed immediately to cleanse his eyes from beholding a taboo. The sacrifice entails Eze Nri washing his eyes with four broken native eggs. This must be done if such taboo is committed against the throne of Eze Nri.
What should President Buhari do to Adeosun over alleged certificate forgery? NAIJ.COM TV
Source: Naija.ng
from Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Naija news 24/7 https://ift.tt/2KNe4Nq
via IFTTT
No comments:
Post a Comment