Nigeria: Awka – Mmanwu Traditional Ritual Dance
Mmanwu is a traditional masquerade dance of Igbo people in Nigeria. We were treated to an awesome performance in Amawbia. The dance is believed to summon and honor ancestral spirits. Performed during ceremonies to cleanse the community of evil spirits or bring blessings for harvests, marriages, or festivals. Costumes are made of brightly colored fabrics, raffia, beads, feathers, and other materials. The costumes often cover the entire body to conceal the identity of the performer, interestingly only men are allowed to perform, although they often portray female roles.
