Thesis Abstract

The Ezen-Mor festival is a significant cultural event celebrated annually by the Umusadege people in Nigeria. This festival showcases a rich display of theatrical and artistic elements that are deeply rooted in the history and traditions of the community. The festival serves as a platform for the community to come together and celebrate their heritage through various artistic expressions. The theatrical elements of the Ezen-Mor festival include traditional dance performances, masquerade displays, and storytelling sessions. These performances are characterized by intricate choreography, vibrant costumes, and rhythmic music that create a lively and engaging atmosphere. The traditional dance performances feature intricate footwork and synchronized movements that are passed down through generations, reflecting the community's cultural identity. Masquerade displays are another important aspect of the festival, with performers adorned in elaborate costumes and masks representing ancestral spirits and deities. These performances are believed to invoke the spirits of the ancestors and bring blessings to the community. The masquerades often perform elaborate dance routines and interact with the audience, creating a sense of awe and mystery. Storytelling sessions at the Ezen-Mor festival serve as a means of preserving the community's oral history and passing down traditional knowledge to younger generations. Elders and storytellers recount myths, legends, and historical events through captivating narratives that captivate the audience and impart valuable lessons and moral teachings. In addition to theatrical elements, the Ezen-Mor festival also features a wide range of artistic expressions, including visual arts, crafts, and culinary traditions. Artisans showcase their skills through intricate beadwork, wood carvings, and pottery, reflecting the community's craftsmanship and creativity. Traditional cuisine is also a highlight of the festival, with a variety of dishes prepared using local ingredients and cooking methods that have been handed down through the ages. Overall, the Ezen-Mor festival of the Umusadege people is a colorful and vibrant celebration that highlights the rich cultural heritage of the community. Through its theatrical and artistic elements, the festival serves as a platform for cultural expression, community bonding, and the preservation of traditional knowledge and practices. The festival plays a vital role in promoting cultural identity, unity, and pride among the Umusadege people, ensuring that their heritage continues to thrive for generations to come.

Thesis Overview

1.1 Background of the Study

Ezen-mor festival is one of the most celebrated festival of Umusadege people. The word Ezen-mor means the king of masquerade. Ezen-mor is a festival that brings peace, prosperity and development to the community and this festival is observed every three years and falls in the month of March. The Ezen-mor festival to the best of my knowledge has never been documented or recoded by any one because of the ancient belief that Ezen-mor cannot be captured with camera or any modern technology because it is part of what the masquerade forbids.

This propelled me into the research of Ezen-mor because a festival that is as entertaining, colourful with lots of artistic performances should not be left as a mere piece of memory, but a should be documented in form of video, photography and in a written form for people outside the Umusadege community and in diaspora to know and appreciate. This is why I documented it property in video, photograph and in a written form so that when it is picked up to be read or watched it’s theatrical and artistic elements can be appreciated.

1:2 Objective of the Study

The primary objective of this study or research work is to study Ezen-mor cultural festival as an artistic and theatrical performance. It begins with the definition of culture and festival then the analyses of the festival. Second, objective is to document, preserve, promote and project this cultural festival as an important heritage of Umusadege people.

1.3 Rationale for the Study

A lot of research has been carried out in the area of culture and festival but none has focus on Ezen-mor festival of Umusadege people. Hence, this research was carried out to fill this vacuum, this research is important because it explores Ezen-mor as a theatrical performance that provides social entertainment. It also express the cultural values of Umusadege people. This research intend to project and promote the festival of Ezen-mor of Umusadege people.

1.4 Significance

This research work will be of immense benefit to those who wish to carry out further investigation on Ezen-mor festival. It will be a source of enlightenment to younger generation of Umusadege people living in diaspora who have lost touch with culture.

1.5 Methodology

This study or research will employ the historical, the sociological and literary methods. The researcher interacted with the members of the community and interviewed them on issues related to the festival. The researcher was also a participant observer. The historical methodology was used to investigate the origin of Umusadege, the origin and creation of the festival. Finally the literary method was used in the process of conceptualizing Ezen-mor festival.

1.6 Limitation

Lack of information on previous writing about Ezen-mor festival was one of the biggest limitation. There was also factors of secrecy on the part of the elders because they felt that it was best to keep the information on the festival to themselves.