THE ORIGIN OF THE ETANGALA MASQURADE IN UGEP
By Chief Okoi Obono-Obla
Etangala was borrowed from Nko by the Ugep community around 1991 under the leadership of Obol Ubi Ujong Inah, who was enthroned as the Obol Lopon of Ugep in 1986 and remained in the position until his passing in 2015. During his reign, Ugep underwent significant structural and social transformations, evolving from a rural setting into the 46th most populous city in Nigeria.
The Nko community originally acquired the Etangala cultural troupe from one of their Obols, who was born and raised in Assiga. Consequently, Assiga can be regarded as the originator of the Etangala culture. This is not unusual, as culture is dynamic rather than static, often borrowed and adapted by different communities to suit their own traditions.
Tragically, Ugep youths who traveled to Nko—often trekking or using motorcycles and vehicles—to witness the annual Etangala cultural ensemble were involved in a fatal motor accident.
The incident led to significant loss of lives, plunging Ugep into a state of grief and mourning. In response, Obol Ubi Ujong Inah decided to bring Etangala to Ugep and integrate it into the New Yam festival.
As customary in such arrangements, the people of Emenko in Bikobiko Town, Ugep, were entrusted with the responsibility of learning and performing all the required rituals from the Nko community.
The first Obol Etangala was an Efik man who had close ties with Ugep youths residing in Calabar and frequently visited Ugep.
The second Obol Etangala was Honourable Justice Okoi Ikpi Itam, the Honourable Chief Judge of Cross River State. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1977, appointed a Judge of the High Court of Cross River State in 1991, and later became the Chief Judge in 2010. He passed away in 2017. Justice Itam was the third Ugep man to be called to the Nigerian Bar, following Dr. Okoi Arikpo SAN in 1956 and Honourable Justice Emmanuel Etowa Arikpo in 1964.
Chief Okoi Obono-Obla was selected as the third Obol Etangala in 2018.
The Etangala masquerade is a significant cultural tradition of the Yakurr people in Cross River State, Nigeria, particularly associated with the Leboku New Yam Festival. It embodies the Yakurr’s spiritual and communal beliefs, representing ancestral spirits and serving as a symbol of protection and moral authority. The masquerade’s performance involves music, dancing, and rituals, reflecting the rich heritage of the Yakurr people.
Here’s a more detailed look:
- Spiritual Significance:The Etangala masquerade is believed to be a way of honoring ancestors and maintaining a connection between the living and the dead.
- Symbolism:It represents ancestral spirits, warriors who died long ago and have returned to protect the people.
- Performance:The masquerade’s appearance includes flowery wings covering its head, hands, and feet, along with a special swap called E1.
- Community Role:The Etangala masquerade plays a role in communal unity, development schemes, averting negative events, and ensuring the continuity of society.
- Interactive Element:The masquerade engages in a lively chase with the audience, who participate by racing to pursue it.
- Cultural Preservation:It strengthens social bonds, promotes physical fitness, and showcases the community’s vibrant culture.
- Unique Feature:Some accounts highlight that the Etangala masquerade has only one hand, a symbolic detail that holds cultural significance.
- Leboku Festival:The masquerade is a highlight of the Leboku New Yam Festival, a major celebration for the Yakurr people.
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