In Igbo land, there is a popular saying: when a deity in a shrine begins to misbehave, it can be humbled by reminding it that it was carved from an iroko tree. This proverb carries a deep lesson. The Igbo people do not submit blindly to anything, not even to gods, deities, or masquerades. Nothing is placed above human dignity and collective sanity.
Some people insist that culture is sacred and must never be questioned. I strongly disagree. Culture is meant to grow, evolve, and adapt with time. Any culture that refuses to change becomes dangerous. Tradition should guide us, not cage us.
As an Igbo man from Anambra State, I grew up watching masquerades and experiencing their cultural significance. In my community, masquerades still play an important role in burial ceremonies. Just a few weeks ago, my nwanna, Udu Bunch, the son of Odiche Bread, passed away. His burial was held in front of my house, and masquerades were present to honor him. That is the beauty of culture — preserving our identity and honoring our people.
However, culture must never be used as a cover for misconduct. When a masquerade becomes violent, mischievous, or is used to settle personal grudges, it must be checked. This brings me to the recent arrest of a masquerade. Some traditionalists argued that unmasking it was a taboo, claiming that only members of the masquerade society (ndi Iba mmanwu) have such authority.
But one truth remains central to Igbo values: respect is earned, not demanded — even by the gods and masquerades. For a masquerade to command respect, it must respect the people. Wearing a mask is not a license to harass, flog, or intimidate others.
I once warned a masquerade in my village that if it ever tried to flog me unjustly, I would respond and expose whoever was behind the mask. Tradition must never become a weapon against the people it is meant to serve.
So yes, I support the arrest of the masquerade. It serves as a warning to others. We return home during festive seasons like Christmas to celebrate life, not to live in fear or endanger our families.
Masquerades remain a beautiful part of Igbo culture. But that beauty must always be balanced with logic, legality, morality, and respect for human dignity.
Anthony Emeka Nwosu