In the state of Anambra in south-eastern Nigeria, communities hold a celebration to invoke fertility and a bountiful harvest during the dry season by performing the Ijele masquerade at burial ceremonies and other special occasions.
The masks are a huge 4 meters tall, so it takes 100 men six months to build an outdoor house to hold the various costumes and masks before a performance. Ijele is the biggest mask system that has ever entered the history of masking tradition around the globe.
The upper and the lower segments are connected by a big snake. Mkpu Ijele is the name of the upper segment, while Akpakwuru Ijele or Ogbanibe is the name of the lower segment, and Eke-Ogba (Python) is the name of the center. On the basis of gravitational balance construction, Ijele towers stand about 15 feet to 12 feet tall.
There is a lot of attention to detail in the way it is constructed, with multicolor cloths, bamboo sticks, and canes which work together in an exciting way. The outdoor big house is always the size of a house indoors, so it is essential to prepare it for Ijele anywhere it will perform. In order to prepare Ijele costumes and houses for an outing performance.
There is a wide range of figures and scenes depicting various aspects of everyday life that adorn them. An impressive figure masked in a red mask dance at the end of a series of masquerades, protected by six 'police' and carrying a mirror with the ability to draw in and punish her enemies.
Ijele mask carriers, who are chosen by ballot, live on a restricted diet for three months to gain the strength needed to wear the mask during which they live without any contact with other people. In addition to spirituality, the masquerade plays an important role in society.
It provides a way to mark both festive and solemn occasions; politically, it allows a community to show support for the chief or king; and culturally, it is an opportunity for young boys and girls to have fun while singing and dancing to the tunes of Akunechenyi music.