IT was a colourful and artistic display of the masquerade culture of the people of eastern extraction of Nigeria, as what would likely pass for the tallest masquerade in the world took the centre stage during the 2012 edition of the yearly Igbo Uturu Cultural Carnival celebrated last month in Uturu.
For four days, the complex of Gregory University, Uturu was agog with celebration as the people came with different music, cultural and masquerade traditions of exhilarating and profound creativity to entertain the audience in what has become a must attend cultural carnival since its debut in 2008.
The theme, ‘Harmonious diversity,’ provided a platform for artistes from states across the South East, South South and Northern Nigeria to showcase their talents with Edo, Delta, Cross Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Rivers States showcasing the energetic waist wiggling maiden dances; and Imo, Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi and host Abia, displaying an array of colourful dances.
The climax of the zestful masquerade display was the historic unveiling of the tallest masquerade conceived, designed and constructed by Chief Greg Ibe. Stretching to a maximum height of over fifty feet, it was a breathtaking spectacle to behold. Hosted under the umbrella of the Centre for Igbo Renaissance of Gregory University, Uturu, the carnival also featured the children’s carnival - Egwuonwa and cultural Christmas Cantata.
The chairman of the carnival, Professor George Obiozor, commended the organizer and sponsor of the yearly cultural feast, Chief Greg Ibe who is also the promoter of Gregory University Uturu, for initiating the carnival while calling on other well – meaning Easterners to support the noble effort of Ibe in reviving and sustaining Igbo arts and culture.
Delivering a keynote address on the theme for the year, Senator Uche Chukumerije enjoined Ndigbo and Nigerians to overcome dialect and linguistic differences in the pursuit of unity.
Goodwill messages came from different groups and personalities, including the National Universities Commission (NUC), Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), RATTAWU and Igbo Uturu Ancient Kingdom.
The initiator of the annual carnival, Ibe, had in 2008 conceived an indigenous home-grown fiesta that would champion the celebration and projection of the different aspects of the rich Igbo arts and cultural heritage.
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