5 Popular Traditional Dances From Eastern Nigeria
|Whether it’s celebratory, energizing, cathartic, funny, or just plain
embarrassing, dance is one of the best art forms for expression. People
gyrate in order to celebrate, commemorate or even to prepare for some
ritual.
Historic and traditional dance goes back hundreds and even thousands
of years. Nigeria has the treasure of a variety of folk and tribal
dances in regions across the country. The eastern region, which consist
mostly of the Igbo tribe, have a list of traditional dances performed as
a form of emotional expression, social interaction, or exercise, in a
spiritual or performance setting, and these dances are sometimes used to
express ideas or tell a story.
When visiting the Eastern parts of Nigeria, check out Jovago’s list of top 5 local dances for some inspiration!
Commonly associated with the people of Abam in Arochukwu LGA, Abia
State, Nigeria,Ikpirikpi-ogu is a dance of warriors. Originally
performed to welcome soldiers back from tribal wars, it exudes an air of
valor and is strictly performed by men. Today it’s purely symbolical to
show the strength of a community and its conquest over collective
challenges. It is performed at key festivals and community events.
Atilogwu (Acrobatic Dance)
This is very similar to performances by cheerleaders in today’s
western world. It is known as the ‘Acrobatic Dance” as it requires a lot
of quick movements and calisthenics. It is mainly performed by the
youth for entertainment at ceremonies or other events.
Nkwa umu-Agbogho (the Maiden dance)
In a bid to attract suitors, this dance which involves rhythmic
movements of the chest and waist, was performed by maidens who had come
of age and were set to marry. It was a key aspect of the Igbo culture
and was used to foster abstinence from sexual activities before
marriage. In recent times, it is performed as a form of entertainment by
young ladies with supple bodies.
Omuru-onwa and Agbacha-ekuru-nwa
This dance strictly performed by married women, generally involves
responsive movement of the body, in a rhythmic fashion to hip-swinging
music. Married women and new mothers used such entertaining
opportunities to exercise, lose weight, shed baby-fats and stay healthy
through weekly rehearsals.
Mmanwu (masquerades)
Possibly the most popular dance in the Igbo culture, Mmanwu is
celebrated across the entire Igbo landscape. In the ancient times,
masquerades were seen as sacred as they either represented deities or
were messengers sent by deities to deliver judgments or penalties on
otherwise powerful people. They were untouchable; feared to be spirits.
It was assumed that during the Mmanwu dance, the spirit of the deity
possessed the person wearing masquerade. The Mmanwu dance was and is
still featured in most Igbo carnivals, celebrations and funerals
including the New yam festival. Their performances are usually vibrant
and mobile causing so audiences to move around in order to fully enjoy
each.