Ekpe Ikwuano as Masquerade Drama

Abstract

The present study focuses on Ekpe Ikwuano as a masquerade drama. The study which developed from oral literature, tries to situate the Ekpe Ikwuano into the mainstream of traditional Igbo/African masquerade drama with objective proofs. The researcher adopts performance theory as the theoretical framework of the study. Performance theory is a theory that deals with a pattern of action or behaviour that surrounds any activity, especially in drama, theatre, arts and literature. The relevance of performance theory here is that it helped also to give this work good shape for advancement. The Ekpe Ikwuano masquerade drama mainly involves action or performance which dealt with the people’s
culture and tradition. Therefore, the ingredients or qualities of performance theory were used for the propagation of this work. The work of Richard Schechner is used to drive home the points of performance theory as it relates to Ekpe Ikwuano. In Africa, performance theory relates more with traditional African drama or performances. In the course of the study it was seen that Ekpe Ikwuano dramatized the culture, tradition, and heritage of Ikwuano people. The research also revealed that Ekpe Ikwuano, which originated from Ikwuano Igbo land, is very different from the Ekpe of the Cross River origin, which spread to Arochukwu, Bende, and Ngwa areas of Igbo land. The researcher digressed to teach his readers what the Ekpe of the Cross River origin means, through the help of tonemark and objective analysis from relevant sources, to avoid further confusion and complications from people, especially those outside the Ekpe performance region. In this case, there is the Ekpe of Igbo origin, and Ekpe of Cross River origin. The study therefore recommends that the Ekpe
Ikwuano festival, be preserved for continuity, growth, and progress.

Keywords: Performance, Ekpe, masquerade drama, Igbo theatre, masking.
Corresponding author: bifeanyiogbonye2012@gmail.com