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12:A-1.
THE CONTEST
"Egungun Festival”: Pronounced: (Ay-gewn-gewn) - Nigeria.
An old festival and contest celebrated by the "Yoruba" people of
modern day Nigeria. The festival, celebrates the Yoruba ideals
of manhood, and skills. It could also be a Seasonal celebration.
Festival is usually celebrated once or twice a year in
appreciation Of peace and progress within the community. Masked
contestants in opposing sides, take turns in displaying their
mastery of their "whips". Fencing sports probably borrowed It’s
theme from "Egungun festival" contestants.
Size: 48"31"
12:A-2.
THE FESTIVAL:
"Eyo Festival": Pronounced: (Ay-yoh) - Nigeria
Eyo Festival is mostly celebrated in the cities of southwest
Nigeria. Primarily a Lagosian festival that dates back to the
twelfth century. The festival celebrates the Important social
roles of a town: its chiefs, known-families, sons and daughters,
achievers that have made the town proud. Male dancers from
various indigenous families covered in hooded flowing sheets, a
top-hat, and a bat-like stick (Or-kpan-bata) yells out
screeching sounds in approaching seated dignitaries and
invitees. It is disloyal for a spectator to have on shoes, hats,
or head-ties in the presence of an Eyo. Climax of festival
occurs when dancers, in a procession-like format before invited
dignitaries, in masked voices, raised bats and on one-foot,
ushering salutations, praise names, and songs as they pass by.
Size: 48"31"
12:A-3.
THE TWINS:
"Ibeji": Pronounced: (Ee-bay-gee) - Nigeria
In the Yoruba culture, twins are children whose birth are
celebrated as twice the blessing of the gift of a newborn. The
Yoruba’s have one of the highest rates of twin births in the
world, and the loss of twins is therefore considered a great
tragedy. The birth of twins is a highly symbolic a "Special Gift"
from the creator within most African cultures. The special
bonding between twins and their mother, in Yoruba, is compared
to the botanical germination and growth of "black-eyed-beans"
(commonly known to Americans as black-eyed-peas). Beans are therefore the dish of celebration served at the birth
of twins.
Size: 48"31"
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12:A-4. THE CORONATION:
"Oba": Pronounced: (Ah-bah) - Nigeria
The Yoruba depiction of the crowning of the King is conveyed
here. While the dominant tradition and culture in the ascension
to the throne by the next King is mostly hereditary (usually the firstborn
son of the first wife-queen-mother); in certain
circumstances, the King-maker would have to consult with the
traditional elders in order to choose the next king. In both situations, the
king-maker then crowns the chosen one while handing over the
traditional authority: crown and staff of his forefathers
to the new king. Coronation is performed in the palace with
family members, invited guests, and festivities representing the
entire town.
Size: 48"31"
12: A-5. THE MESSENGERS:
"Akpele": Pronounced: (Ar-kpe-le) - Nigeria
In the Aniocha (Ani-or-cha) Ibo (Ee-bo) tradition of the current
Delta State of Nigeria, the akpele (horn), has multiplicity
usage: For entertainment and communication. Used in
different gracious occasions like: The King’s inauguration or
appointments of Chiefs by the King. The horn has always been the
traditional tool to effectively Communicate in the African
culture. Even when used as a musical instrument, it still
communicates. The horn players, (messengers) communicates
salutations, Praises, and songs in announcing the arrival of the
King from far away travels or for a ceremonial occasion.
Size: 46"23"
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12:A-6. THE
MUSICAL-ENSEMBLE:
Musical instruments arrangement: Anti-clockwise from
bottom-left: - Nigeria
"Ago" - Hollow-Steel-drum:
Pronounced: (Ar-go) - Yoruba
"Okwa” - Hollow-Wooden-drum: Pronounced :(Okw-a) - Ibo
"Eeluh" - Hand-drum: Pronounced: (Eee-lu) - Yoruba
"Ekwe" - Hollow-steel-drum: Pronounced: (A-kw-a) - Ibo
"Samba” - Flat-Skin-drum : Pronounced: (Samm-bar) - Yoruba
"Goje" - Guitar : Pronounced: (Go-jay) - Hausa
"Akuba" - Leg- drum : Pronounced: (Ar-ku-bar) - Yoruba
"Eeluh" - Talking-drum : Pronounced: (Eee-lu) - Yoruba
"Sekere" -Hand-beads-instrument:
Pronounced: (Sh-ee-ke-reh) - Yoruba
Musical instruments
primarily serve two purposes in the African tradition: Means of
communication and entertainment.
$ Size: 46"23"
12:A-7. MELODY MAKER:
Street-Melody Maker: - Nigeria
Traditional instrumentalist plays sweet melody to young female
dancers. A celebration of Womanhood. Long before 1500, much of
present-day Nigeria was divided into states, Tub-attired
musicians, and background building-sketches depict an "Hausa"
(How-sa) City of Northern Nigeria. Young female dancers in
waist-beads and white 2-piece outfits connotes the essence of
beauty, moral purity, virtue, and youthfulness.
Size: 46"23"
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12:A-8. BRIDE PRICE:
"Iyawo" Customary-Bride Price:
Pronounced: (Ee-yah-woe) - Nigeria
It is customary to pay "bride-price" in the consolidation of
most African marriages. It is the responsibility of the groom's
family to pay bride-price to the bride's family. This is
undertaken more in the spirit of hospitality, friendship,
respect, and honor to both bride and groom families. The
bride-price displayed before the bride are foodstuffs presented
in bowls. In Yoruba iconography, bowls contain hidden powers and
are thought of as possessing powers similar to those of women,
associated with their powers of reproduction and ability to
compromise the fertility of others. This is the hidden
power of "our mothers".
Size:39"16"
12:A-9. ABANG DANCERS:
"Abang" Dancers: Pronounced :(Ar-bang) - Nigeria
The "Abang" dancers of the "Calabar" (Car-lar-bar) people,
mostly in the Cross-river states of current Nigeria, celebrates
the ideals of female beauty and virtue: ankle and waist beads,
elaborate and exaggerated waist-line and head dress. The total
outfit connotes: cosmetic skills, sexuality, nobility,
discipline, prudence and inner serenity. The "Abang" dancers
balancing act symbolizes and expresses the qualities of
calmness, patience, and "coolness" desired in Calabar women.
Size: 39"16"
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12:A-10. END OF DAY:
The Return of the "Palmwine-Tapper" - Nigeria
Among the West-African people, Winery (Palm-Wine-Tapping) is one
of the oldest male profession. Wine derived out of African
tropical palm. There are two-types of "palm-wine": the "Up and
down" wine. Tools of the trade includes: (Calabash): Wine
storage containers made out of African- melon shells. (Ar-gbu):
a holler-hoop-like sturdy rope made out of the bark of a palm
tree is used for climbing to the top of palm tree, to tap wine.
At the end of day, prior to the advent of bicycles, the
palm-wine-taper usually walk home.
Size: 16"39"
12:A-11. CELBRATION:
"Amulu-dun" entertainers:
Pronounced: (Ar-mulu-duun) - Nigeria
The arrival of the full moon could be a reason for celebration.
Literally interpreted, Ar-mulu-du in Yoruba means: the festivity
of the town. Entire town or community could be plunged
into festivity to celebrate a good Harvest. Dancers enjoying the
sweet melody of entertainers: Arku-ba (foot drum), She-keer-re
(hand-beads-instrument) and Eee-luh (talking drum).
Size: 46"23"
12:A-12. FISHING FESTIVAL & CONTEST:
"Arugungun Festival" :
Pronounced: (Arr-goon-goo) - Nigeria
To the people of Arr-goon-goo , northern state (lake Chad) of
Nigeria, fishing is the most important and noblest profession.
The objective of the fishing festival and contest is to proclaim
the best fisherman of the community. Determined simply: by who
makes the biggest catch of the day. At festival contest time,
fishermen are lined-up, grouped in their various associations.
With tools of trade: Catch-Net, canoe, and Pumpkin-bowl ready,
the contest begins, with the singing of work-songs.
Size: 39"16"
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