While moving ahead in front of the Ekpo Masquerades, were group of young and vibrant men with machetes and swords. One hitting his machete against it's opponents machete.
They were moving in a circle formation.
One of the young men while speaking to WonderTV correspondent stated that the activity by which the young men move in circle and hit their machetes against one another's machete is called "Ukuwa".
He explained that the play has rules which every participant must follow.
Some of the rules are;
1. You must not allowed your machete/sword to fall to the ground when hitting it against an opponent. If it falls, your opponent seized your machete/sword.
2. You must hit your machete against your opponent's machete with force.
He further stated that the play is very risky as some persons end up losing their hands or fingers as a result of a cut by an opponent's machete/sword.
In his words " Some men could be very wicked especially if the person has a bag energy towards you he could either cut your hand off or hit your machete to the ground.
Some people come with one machete and end up going with more machetes if they are able to hit people's machetes to the ground.
Once your hand or finger is cut, there's nothing you can do. It's a play and every participant is cautioned to be very careful.
Last 3 years my elder brother's hand was chopped off in this play. We can't stop the play because it's tradition he added".
When asked if a stranger can join the Ukuwa, with a smile on his face he replied "why not! If he has the mind because this game is based on having a strong mind".

Another masquerade seen was busy chasing young ladies. The masquerade was dressed in a dirty sack bag. In his hand was a sack bag and a plantain sucker.
A boy who walked with the masquerade told WonderTV correspondent that the masquerade is called "Atontog Ekpo" meaning masquerade who pours ashes.
Then the sack in which the masquerade holds is filled with ashes from firewood.
The masquerade chases after ladies who made their hair neat then pours the ash on the ladies' hair.
He sometimes romances the ladies if he catches them.
It's fun seeing him do that the boy added with a loud laugh.

The next masquerade dressed a bit different from others. This masquerade has a weaving mat made of palm fronds at the back of his head and palm fronds on his back. Also on his left hand was an iron wrapped with palm fronds and a very sharp machete in his right hand.
People were running from this particular masquerade.
Drums were drummed at his back.
Speaking with WonderTV correspondent, one of the men who drummed behind the masquerade said that this particular masquerade is the most dangerous and wild.
The masquerade is called "Ayarda" which means wild.
Everybody runs from this particular masquerade including the initiates says the man.
The masquerade can cut anybody he comes in contact.
The drum is used to communicate with the masquerade.
The palm fronds on his back, if cut out, can make the masquerade become very wild and looking for whom to cut and once he can't get someone, he cuts himself and drink the blood to be tamed.
This masquerade mostly walks in the bush and not on the road like other masquerades.
Other masquerades run away from this particular masquerade.
When he wants to enter a compound either to drink or pay homage, he pins the rod in his left hand to the ground at the entrance of the compound in which he is entering.
We who drums for him are very careful because he can cut us with that machete in his hand.
This particular masquerade used to climb roof tops then jumps from the roof to cut off a goat's neck off the goat.
According to our tradition, he is expected to take off the goat's neck with one cut that is why his machete is always very sharp the man added.

The next masquerades which appear ten in number were very tall and they danced very well.
Their legs were like what could look like sticks.
A man who accompanied these masquerades told WonderTV correspondent that these set of masquerades are called "Inuen Ekpo" which means "Bird masquerade" reason being that their mouths are mostly looking like a bird's mouth.
These set of masquerades are known for their heights and dance said the man.
The people in charge of these set of masquerades, before the festival they would go to the evil forest and stay for seven days.
They don't sleep with women during this period. While in the evil forest the only eat unripe plantain with palm oil.
They don't eat what is cooked or made by a woman.
It's believed that if they do, the masquerades whiling dancing during the festival might fall which would be a big shame and disgrace to the community.
So to prevent them from sleeping with women or eating what is made by a woman, they are being made to live in the evil forest for seven days and prepare themselves for the festival.
These set of masquerades can only be seen with gongs in which the play while dancing to the drums of their members.
They are the most colourful that is why people admire them the most said the man.

These ones were referred to as "dirty masquerades" because they look dirty. A source told WonderTV correspondent that these set of masquerades are often seen in the land of the living compare to others.
Others may come out on special days like this day.
These masquerades when going into a house of their members either to rest or drink, walk backwards into the house.
Speaking with WonderTV correspondent, the masquerade leader explains that the act of walking backwards into any house by the masquerades is something that was passed from generations to generations.
Ghost don't walk forward into any building. These masquerades are believed to be ghosts (our ancestors) who come to the land of the living to merry with us.
So, it's therefore required that the walk backwards into any building they enter while being in the land of the living.
When I die and come back as a masquerade, that is how I will walk into any house to either pay homage or drink said the masquerade leader.

The last masquerade to come out from the evil forest was the tallest. This masquerade had a nose mask on. The people of the community called the masquerade "Eka Ekpo" meaning mother of masquerade.
According to a source who spoke with WonderTV correspondent, this masquerade gave birth to all the masquerade.
On her head was a basket while a life hen was tied to her left hand.
The source said that the mother masquerade is believed to return from the market hence the basket and hen.
Inside the basket contains food items to be cooked for the masquerades.
The mother masquerade had two people one in front and one at the back towing her while people with palm fronds surrounded her as she walks. She was the slowest in terms of walking.

saphiere:


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