Kelechi Blessing EzeanochieOriokpa Masquerade is regarded as an esteemed spirit that maintains the culture and traditions of Nsukka people. The term “Ori-okpa” translates to “head of the youth” in the Igbo language. This masquerade is associated with initiation ceremonies and serves as a symbol of youthfulness, strength, and vitality.
The Oriokpa masquerade which was initially institutionalized many years ago for the purpose of entertaining the public and upholding the tenets of the tradition, have, according to many observers, deviated from its original purpose to engaging in nefarious activities.
In the year 2017, the Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Most Rev Igwebuike Onah drew the attention of the general public and that of the law enforcement agencies to look into the issue of ending the ‘Oriokpa Masquerade’ or to call them to order after they nearly killed a Senior Seminarian. It was reported that the Seminarian by name Lawrence Ezugwu, was leaving the premises of St. Theresa’s Cathedral Nsukka, when a group of Masquerades besieged and beat him up and smashed his head with a big stone leaving him in his pool of blood.
Observers said that some of those behind the masks use the opportunity to target and hurt anyone that may have offended them in the past. Some have reportedly resorted to using the masquerade cult to extort money from people to the extent of carrying a POS machine with them so that anyone who claims he doesn’t have cash, would use an ATM card to withdraw money and give them.
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Recently, some masquerades descended on a young nurse identified as Miss Ogbonna Blessing, who was fully dressed in her official attire and flogged her mercilessly until she fell down from a motorcycle and while she tried to get up and run, the masquerades in their numbers continued the beating untill she fell into a drainage. The incident drew outrage from members of the public who called for outright ban of the masquerade in the town.
According to reports, the lady nurse who was riding a bike to work in a private hospital said a tipper lorry had blocked her view and she could not sight the masquerade on time to run.
People, who reacted when a video of the incident was posted ok social media said Oriokpa had become notorious for all kinds of criminal acts including the illegal use of firearms.
Jennifer Omeje an indegine of Lejja, a community under Nsukka Local Government Area shared her experience with the Oriokpa masquerade saying: “I was on my way to a wedding party on a bike, they were three of the masquerades that stopped the bike man. They demanded money, and I gave them three thousand naira notes. The bike man started his machine to drive off. Suddenly one of them used its long stick and flogged me on my back. The pain was so severe, and there was a red mark on my back.”
Cases of Oriokpa brutality on innocent people in Nsukka abound. There are instances when the Oriokpa had caused injuries on many people and even loss of lives. It had also led to vehicle accident due to road blockade.
Traditional authorities in some communities under the Nsukka Local Government Area have deliberated on the issue of Oriokpa masquerade. They include the Oha Nsukka, the Akpuruaru Nsukka, the Igwe’s the PG’s of the 9 Autonomous communities, and the Youth.
In one of the meetings, a resolution was reached that Oriokpa masquerade operation be suspended until further notice. The suspension is to enable the Council of Elders examine the assault on the nurse and bring out modalities for the Oriokpa masquerade henceforth.
The incident of Oriokpa beating the nurse also prompted the Enugu State House of Assembly to set up an ad-hoc committee to come up with practical measures to regulate the activities of masquerades in the state. A member of the state house of assembly representing the area, Malachy Onyechi had moved a motion on the abuse of human rights, threat to life, and destruction of properties by masquerades in the constituency. I’m
Traditions like Oriokpa masquerade which have turned out to be barbaric should be properly scrutinized and appropriate measure taken to ensure that hoodlums and criminals are not allowed to put on the costume and main people, especially women in the name of tradition.
