Hi friends, culture is more than the dress a particular people wear, it's actually everything about their existence. Today I'll be Introducing an aspect of the Opobo cultural heritage to you, the way it's been played and danced. Let's move on gradually. Greetings from my family here in the city of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
The Origin of the Nwantam Masquerade Dance
The origin of Nwaotam Masquerade in Opobo Kingdom is traced to Ndoki people of South-eastern Nigeria in the present Abia State of Nigeria.Traditions indicate that the Ndoki people have had long time relationships with the Ibani people of Bonny and Opobo. In fact, historical documents claim that the Ndoki founding fathers were migrants from Ijaw as the founding fathers of Bonny.Apparently, since the founding of Bonny, the Ibani people have always travelled upstream through the Imo river to the Azumini area for trades, cultural and social interactions.The Nwaotam cult emerged from the deity of ancient Ibani people called the Ottam people. These people were brought in mostly to satisfy the Europeans' quest for human commodities in the 18th and 19th century.According to the memories of late captain High Crow of Liverpool Source who visited Bonny for trade, 'the Ottam tribe are stout and robust and of a deeper black than any other tribes at Bonny. Their bodies and face are carved and tattooed in a frightful manner.'The Ottams were not only notable for the worship of spirits they called 'Mmoh'; but were also brought into Bonny as adults, therefore the description 'Ottam Mmku' was made popular in Bonny. It was also in this line, that their working strength, tribal marks and rascality gave them another local phrase, Ottam Ahiriha.The Ibani tradition has it that the Nwa-Ottam originated from a dark mythical grove in Mkpajekiri around Ohambele Ndoki. By this time, the Ndoki native, which included the Ottam tribes men, had started serving this 'Mmoh' gods believed to be heterosexual; and would organise dance during a season of the year.Those dances were mostly organised based on age grade systems; and after several years, the deities' head was changed to masquerade head of the Nwaotam.The nucleus of the Nwaotam masquerade at that time metamorphosed into a cult, because this domestic deity at Ndoki had acquired a great deal of ritual authority. It was at these instances that Opobo people of the Captain Uranta family adopted the cult of Nwaotam called 'Ntuma Mkpa' and then ferried the male native original totem (mummified Nwa-ottam head) through Azumini river to Imo river, then to Queen town by 1920 on the authority and assistance of King Arthur Mac Pepple, the then Amanyenabo of Opobo kingdom.Source
The Uniqueness of the Nwaotam Masquerade Dance
One of the uniqueness of the Nwaotam Masquerade Dance is that it's been played on the roof of a building no matter how high the building is. The festival in recent times is celebrated on Christmas day and during the New year celebration. During this celebration, many tribal groups spend the night in the sea to offer prayers that will ward off the evil forces. On the next day, a procession is held at the seashore to signal the start of the celebration.Source
From the seashore after they've received the signal to start, the festival begins at different age grade level.
Apart from the fact that the Nwaotam Masquerade is usually danced for entertainment, it's actually carries spiritual implications. The NWAOTAM Masquerade is no ordinary Masquerade, it's a very spiritual Masquerade, every year the NWAOTAM chooses who to wear the Nwaotam Masquerade head and regalia from their cult group, Who ever it chooses to wear the head and regalia gets paid heavily.Source
The Proliferation of the Nwaotam Masquerade Dance
The Nwaotam Masquerade was diffused into the riverine area of Andoni in Rivers State, Nigeria. This cultural dance was not originally established by the Andoni people but migrated from Opobo to their Andoni neighbors. Like the Opobo people, the Andoni people usually celebrate the Nwaotam festival during the December period.
Nwaotam Masquerade Dance as a means for Tourism
During the December festive season, people from far and near visit Opobo kingdom for tourism associated to the Nwaotam Cultural dance. This dance also attracts tourists outside the shores of Nigeria. The tourists usually participated in the cultural dance that is done during the festival. A lot of drumming and dancing competition among the people. Cultural heritage are the way one can know the level of development a people had attained in the past.
Thanks for taking time to read my post. You're comments and upvotes will be appreciated.