- Okaptu Community in Udi local government area of Enugu prohibits any marriage rites, ceremonies during six months of Odo masquerade festival
- Community dwellers frown at the tradition, call for its abolition
- Traditionalists say it is a form of preservation of the community’s culture
For residents of Okpatu community in Udi local government area of Enugu, there is only six months in a year as far as marriage ceremony or rites is concerned.
Sandwiched in-between rainforest of Igbo-Etiti and Enugu urban, the ancient community is said to be living with 19th century culture even as many of its citizens have continued to oppose the tradition.
According WITHIN NIGERIA findings, these six months are the months of Odo masquerade festival in the community which usually starts from March through August every year.
During these months, no single marriage ceremony takes place in the community.
According to our investigations, the consequences of disobedience to the tradition is better imagined than experience.
Reactions of the community dwellers
WITHIN NIGERIA investigation showed that with growing Christianity in the community and beyond, there has been high level opposition to the tradition.
One of the community dwellers who gave his name as Josiah Ikem told our reporter that though the tradition is a s old as the community itself, it will soon whittle down owing to westernization.
” I grew up to discover that one can only carry out marriage activities and rites within six months in a year in our community.”
Mr. Ikem who is a father of three children narrated that ” when I wanted to get married in 2015, my parents told me that I cannot do any marriage rites as the window period had then elapsed. I had to wait for the next months before I could start the process. It is an age long tradition which is as old our community itself.”
Asked what will likely be the consequences of the disobedience, he told our reporter that “ some years ago when I was young, we heard that somebody disobeyed the tradition and went ahead to hold his marriage rites in the community during the forbidden time. Few days after the marriage, the two couple died mysteriously. Since then, nobody dared disobeyed the tradition in this regard.”
Opposition against the tradition
However, according to WITHIN NIGERIA findings showed that some years ago, some members of Christian community opposed the tradition, calling it idolatry.
It was gathered some Christians who felt alienated by the tradition gathered themselves to oppose the tradition and at the same encouraging other people not obey.
Explaining the development to our reporter, one of the community leaders who spoke to our reporter under the condition of anonymity explained that, “ some people whom we can call Christian extremists, came together to oppose the tradition some years ago. Actually, they didn’t find it funny. It was a moment of turmoil and mini religious war in our community. But to the glory of God, we survived it.”
Asked if he advocates for the abolition of the tradition, the source told our reporter that ” tradition is meant for the society and not the other way round. I believe that this tradition has become obsolete and reprehensible and for that should be abolished. In most Igbo land, I have not seen where such tradition is still in practice in this 21st century.”
The Odo Masquerade festivities
The name Odo as some scholars noted implies peace. Odo is a common phenomenon among virtually all the communities in old Odo-ozo local government and its environs.
WITHIN NIGERIA source revealed that like every other community in the South East Nigeria, before the advent of Christianity to Igboland, African Traditional religion was the only type of religion practiced by Okpatu people.
For this reason, Odo and its rituals was seen as means of communication between the living with the dead that lived right while on earth. The Odo masquerade was used immensely in the enforcement and maintenance of law and order in the community.
Nevertheless, the cult was also used as social protector for communities that are been oppressed. During communal clashes between some communities some years ago, it is the Odo masquerade that was said to have protected them from the hands of their enemies. That is why many traditionalists in the community have insisted that this tradition must stay in Okpatu community, not only as a symbol of their identity but for the fact that they still believe their community protection still lies heavily on this masquerade.
Though this practice has been on the decline since the advent of Christianity in most Igbo communities, in Okpatu community, they still hold tight to some rituals associated with the other especially prohibiting form of marriage rites during the seven months period of its stay and outing.
In recent times there has been move by some youths in the community to make it less shredded in secrecy and have much of the entertainment angle of this tradition showcased for its tourism potentials.
WITHIN NIGERIA source also revealed that there are three calendar times in the Odo masquerade season viz; the return of Odo from the land of the spirit and this takes place with the 2 months. After that, then comes the sojourn of Odo among the living and this last for 6-7 month during which, no marriage rites is held in the community.
After the seven months period, then comes the return of Odo back to the land of the spirits and this also occur within 2 months.
Though, these complex activities are not clear-cut, but one gradually and naturally flows into the other. They are so planned to fit in with the traditional native calendar (thirteen lunar months).
However, all efforts by WITHIN NIGERIA reporter to get the reactions of the traditional ruler of the community proved abortive as he is said to have travelled to Enugu, the state capital for official meeting with the commissioner.
The onyishi, the eldest man in the community could also not be reached for comment as he was stable when or reporter visited him.
