Artistic Elements In Ekpe Masquerade

Project and Seminar Material for Fine Arts

Abstract

This project report has been systematically organized to facilitate learning and build life skills, and varied activities are incorporated to make the process enjoyable. It also drew from published works of Art history, African culture and Art methodology, to educate and inform the public on the typical African culture that involves masquerade.
The researcher has also drawn the attention of upcoming researchers to the reawakening of the African art through realism. I hope that this text will be accessed and regarded as achieving my “ aims” at list, to some extent.

Chapter One

Introduction

1.1 Background History Of Ekpe

Masquerade In Ohafia

Ekpe masquerade is a popular masquerade among the Rivers, cross – river and Abia state of the federal republic of Nigeria.

According to the research made on the history of Ekpe masquerade it convincingly provide on specific date on when the Ekpe masquerade tradition started.

Hence the fact that Ekpe masquerade tradition has lasted for thousands of years still masks the topic a crucial one to be studied.

Several researcher conducted recently have proven originator or root of this tradition to be the Efik speaking people of cross river state, usually populated in the capital, calaba.

Nde Ohafia or Ohafia people Assimilated the Igba Ekpe (Ekpe festival) through their migration from Ndoni to Andoni as taught by the Ohafia folklore.

The research traced the origin of Ohafia propel as rebels of Owan, Benin Kingdom in the present Edo state of Nigeria. Their ancestors waged war against the authority they set off to settle in Ndoni. Ndoni is in Delta state while Andoni is in River state From Andoni the journey took through Mben, Isieke, Louur Ibeku, Bende, Ozu Abam and then to where we now call Ohafia.