Awka masquerade festival has come to an end. The festival was rounded up on 23rd of May 2009.
It was fun and interesting culture indeed. People of Awka both home and abroad arrived to participate in the festival.
Awka is a capital of Anambra south-eastern Nigeria.
Its state theme is “Light of the Nation” Its boundaries are formed by Delta State to the west, Imo State to the south, Enugu State to the east and Kogi State to the north. The origin of the name is derived from the Omambala River -which is easily called Anambra River depending on which dialect used in pronouncing it. Omambala River is on the northern part of Anambra state and stretches to the famous River Niger.
During the Nigerian/Biafran war, relief airstrips, were constructed by Biafran Engineers in the town of Uli(code named “Annabelle”)and Uga town for Biafran airforce. Awka is among those that produce gun and other weapons. They produce gung, drum, and other things like kitchen utensils.
Imo-Awka is a big festival in Awka, and many people from other state are invited to watch and participate in the festival. The fesival is conducted in to places Awka and Unuokpu. Last year, there is a fight between Awka, Amawbia and Umuokpu people and these caused some peoples live. These were as a result that Amawbia people did not want Awka people to go and visit Umuokpu people. Amawbia is at the centre of Awka and Umuokpu, before one can go to Umuokpu, he/she must pass through Amawbia town. Police offices, Perison, State Security Service, Fire Service and other Government office are located at Amawbia town. Amawbia do not participate in any activities Awka People are doing.
So for this year festival, State Government provides securities 
to make sure that every thing went well during the festival. There were several types of masqurade that parade during the festival like: Ijele, Iga, Ada-mma, Ajibusu, Izaga, Oshi-ashili, Agaba, Ugo, Akwum, Otenkwu and many more like many kind of Dacing groups like Obata Otulu ugo Cultural Group.
Many things took place at the festival that will call many people all over the world to come for next year festival to witness the Awka culture and what they are capable of doing.
These are some of the pictures I snapped at the festival:
This is a type of masquerade called Agaba
This is not Protest or War it is part of the festival
What are your culture like? Did it involve war or flogging people with sticks in the above pictures? Do u love your culture and how can you compare this culture with ours?
