In 1975, a significant departure from tradition took place in the Izzi village group of Nkaliki, located in what is now Ebonyi State, northeastern Igboland, West Africa. The community’s oracle, known as Uke, instructed the women of Nkaliki to organize and perform the Ogbodo Enyi mask dance to honor its protection from evil spirits believed to cause child deaths. In a 1983 photograph by Herbert Cole, one of the female maskers is captured in the midst of her dance, surrounded by her fellow women supporters.
Traditionally, the Ogbodo Enyi mask is a male symbol of leadership, incorporating elements of the elephant. However, while the women’s version of the mask bears a similar appearance, it carries its own unique significance. The male and female maskers never perform together, and the women’s Ogbodo Enyi is embraced and supported solely by the female members of the community.
The selection of women to wear the Ogbodo Enyi mask is carried out through divination by the oracle. Once chosen, these women commission a mask specifically for their performance. While younger men may not always appreciate its importance, the elders of the community hold deep respect for the female Ogbodo Enyi. Even the male maskers acknowledge the significance of the women’s version during their performances, a rare recognition in Igbo masking culture where women and masks typically remain separate.
This exceptional tradition, led by women, is the only known example within Igbo culture—and possibly in Nigeria—where women take on the role of maskers in a practice that is generally reserved for men. This event in Nkaliki stands as a groundbreaking challenge to societal norms, marking a unique chapter in the cultural heritage of the Igbo people.
