When Tradition Hurts: The Tragedy Behind My Hometown’s Masquerade Festival
There are some cultures that are becoming questionable in my tribe. Currently, I am in my hometown for some assignment before travelling back to Lagos State City, where I reside.
It's been two days since I returned, and my observations so far with a particular culture are not palatable, I must say.
Culture indeed is the people's way of life, the way we dress, our language, our food, and our mode of celebrating traditional marriages and other traditions established by our forefathers, which we still uphold and practice. That's fine; however, regarding the masquerade festival or whatever, the way it is going currently in my hometown is quite different from the way it used to be when I was growing up. The turn out is bad, and it's evil.
This period of the year happened to be that time when masquerades showcase themselves in respect of our culture, but they started flogging passersby so badly that a woman lost her life already. I mean, a cultural event like this is meant to be fun and not sad. People shouldn't lose their lives because of culture.
Now, what the masquerade scattered everywhere does in my village is flog every human that passes by that refused to give them money. The beating is extreme; people run for their lives with fear and their hearts panting. I personally fell a victim yesterday, and it wasn't funny. I was in a tricycle, and the masquerade commanded our driver to stop, but he didn't. The masquerade quickly started flogging everyone inside the tricycle continuously. It wasn't a good experience. What this means is that if I don't have money to give them, then I am restricted to moving around the town. That's unfair if you ask me.
This woman I heard lost her life already was running away from the terrible beating she received from the so-called masquerade when she missed her step and fell, then broke her legs, and the masquerade fled immediately. In the process of managing her in the hospital, she started bleeding and died. It's sad!
There are still cases of other casualties caused by these evil masquerades patrolling my hometown, and yet, they go scot-free all because it's a culture?
I am a woman and don't have a say to the elders when it comes to how some cultures are being practiced, but I feel uncomfortable and pained over this current happening. It's surprising to see young guys parading as Masquerade in this town when they should be serious with their destiny, but it is what it is; after all, life is a choice, right?
I only hope that culture should be practiced in a way never to hurt the people.
Images were taken from Canva.
That's so sad, may her gentle soul rest in peace. That's unfair, why beating passersby just because they refused to give you money. Some masquerades are like that. Masquerades are meant to cheer people and showcase our culture not that they should be beating passersby. How I wish they can know the masquerade that beat that woman leading to her death, they should arrest him, but I know they will find a way to release him, that's my country for you.
Arresting him might be medicine after death but sure, it will teach others lessons otherwise, they should abolish this particular masquerade issue if they can't behave themselves
I think these young guys are masquerading as masquerades here to extort money from people in the name of culture. Crazy world we live in now, with people doing crazy things all of the time. I hope the elders would address this situation and solve it.
Exactly ...hiding under the name culture to achieve their devilish mission.
The elders needs to act now before ur gets escalated for real
Thanks for your warm feedback
Flogging passers by? Actual violence? For not 'giving' money? Somethings wrong with this picture. Maybe I will bring my Japanese battle Katana with me should I decide to visit Nigeria.
Yes, flogging passerbys ..it's that violent . I actually took the suitable picture from canva to explain this post as I couldn't take their pictures in the scene. I was angry then to think about camera bug this picture here is exactly how they are themselves with cane in my hometown this season .
Maybe bring your Japanese battle katana to correct their brains here...lolz 🥰
Thanks for stopping by sis
!LADY
I think what @takhar said, masquerading and the masqueraders is exactly right.
I didn’t realize that elders still have all the power there and that women don’t have a say over their decisions. That must be frustrating.
Maybe the women can get together, wear masks and flog the floggers….if there are enough of them? Just stay safe!