Aesthetics Of Ayakoromo Olorogun Masquerade Festival Drama, The Performance

Aesthetics Of Ayakoromo Olorogun Masquerade FestThe ival Drama, The Performance

'Ebikabowei Kedikumo'

The overall aesthetic impact of the Ayakoromo Olorogun masquerade festival is in the Integration of the various elements of drama and theatre such as  songs and music, dance, costumes, ritual, make-up, myth, movement and spectacle, complete with all the nuances of a performing art to enhance the celebration.
On the very day Olorogun is billed to perform, the first activity is the "Beni Kaima" ritual which is carried out exclusively by the devotees and wives of the Olorogun masquerade. Clad in red attires, the Olorogun wives and other devotees, mostly elderly men and women perform this ritual at the  bank of River Forcados. Seven bottles of Fanta drink and seven plates containing the sacrificial food items are placed at the bank of the river. Prayers of good health, children, abundant food, blessings and a trouble- free performance are made before the sacrificial items in each plate are presented to the water spirits. This action immediately attracts different species of fishes which clatter up excitingly, wagging their fins in a slow motion, apparently enjoying the meal. The action of the fish is a positive nod that the sacrifice has been accepted. This ritual is characterized by light drumming, choral singing and clapping which are fascinating.

Another stage of "Beni kamai" is usually taken on by the priest of Akasuwo (a mock god), who also perform the mock Eyebi ritual.
"Eyebi" literally means "seeking the opinion of the Oracle or divine beings".This mock ritual is performed about an hour or two before the appearance of the Olorogun masquerade. It is purely for entertainment and has no spiritual undertones. It normally attracts a mammoth crowd of spectators. The colour code for any participant is red. Akasuwo is a god that predicts accurately as Ekampou (2009) puts it "the dramatic atrocities/achievements of the Olorogun masquerade on consultation..."

The Eyebi ritual is followed by the "Tiri Afen" and "Agboro Gben" masquerades rituals. The "Tiri Afen" masquerade usually comes out to perform a symbolic cleansing of the community. It uses a broom to sweep away all the evils troubling  the community and usher in all the good things of life. This masquerade is gentle and non-aggressive in nature. The headpiece is a carved wooden image of a young lady with pointed breasts.

Next is the "Agboro Gben Owu" (the sacrifice throwing masquerade) performance. This carries a clay pot which contains food items and throws them randomly around the community. This act symbolises the productive capacity of the Ayakoromo community and that the people of Ayakoromo will never experience hunger.

With the accomplishment of the aforementioned rituals, the Olorogun masquerade is enthusiastically waited by the teaming spectators who are dressed in red costumes of various sizes and shapes to mark the spirit of the festival. It is usually a fascinating spectacle to behold.    As they await the Olorogun masquerade to come out for public performance, many of them converge at  the junction of the entrance of the Owu  bou (abode of the masquerade) chanting excitedly about the Olorogun masquerade and what to expect in today's performance. As soon as the Olorogun Eyaigha (baby Olorogun) comes out to strike the rattles on his leg at the "Odele" shrine, it becomes clear that the Olorogun masquerade will be out for public performance any moment. The general expectation of the appearance of the  Olorogun masquerade intensifies. The chanting of the praise name of the masquerade, "AIabenikolokolokolo" rents the air. We can see the spectators jump, clap and prance about waiting for Olorogun  to emerge from the Owu bou.

EBIKABOWEI KEDIKUMO