African Culture and Traditions

DA ABBI EGBELEGBE MASQUERADE: ALL YOU SHOULD KNOW

Published on October 7, 2025

The Da Abbi Egbelegbe Masquerade is one of the most famous, expensive, and culturally important masquerades among the Kalabari people, particularly around Buguma City, in Rivers State, Nigeria. The masquerade belongs to the Amachree royal house and is seen not just as something of entertainment but as a symbol of power, prestige, ritual seriousness, and tradition.

In this article, you will read what is known about its origin and history, its components, costume, rituals, performances, its meaning in society, how it is maintained, and what challenges or controversies surround it.

Table of Contents

OWNERSHIP OF DA ABBI EGBELEGBE MASQUERADE

The masquerade is associated with the Amachree ruling dynasty of the Kalabari Kingdom. The Amachree family has long been central in Buguma. The seat of power, and many high-profile cultural symbols are connected to them.

“King Kariboye Abbi Amachree IV” is one name associated with the acquisition of Egbelegbe. According to one report, the Egbelegbe masquerade was acquired from the people of Tombia by King Kariboye Abbi Amachree IV.

Egbelegbe is not a small or local masquerade. It is among the major masquerades reserved for important festivals, especially the Owu Aru Suun Alali in Kalabari culture. It is treated with high ritual respect.

HISTORY AND ORIGIN

Because of oral transmission, some parts of the history of the Da Abbi Egbelegbe masquerade are approximate or variable, depending on different versions among community members. However, available evidence suggests as follows:

Acquisition from Tombia: One of the more consistent accounts is that Da Abbi Egbelegbe masquerade was acquired from Tombia by King Kariboye Abbi Amachree IV. This gives the masquerade a layer of political and social meaning. It is not just made in Buguma or exclusively from Amachree origin, but has been adopted from another community, possibly as a symbol of dominance, alliance, diplomacy or respect.
Royal performance: Some Kings of the Kalabari Kingdom, including King Prof. T.J.T Princewill of Amachree, have personally adorned the Egbelegbe masquerade. Meaning that they have performed or played the masquerade. This is significant, because masquerade performance is not always done by royalty. That a king does so shows the special ritual and symbolic weight of Egbelegbe.
Meaning of the name “Egbelegbe”: The exact meaning of “Egbelegbe” in local language is not well documented in reliable sources online. However, “Da Abbi Egbelegbe” suggests “Da Abbi” i.e. part of the Abbi lineage or title, followed by “Egbelegbe” as the masquerade name. “Egbe”, in many Niger Delta languages mean “society”, “gathering”, or “association”, but the local meaning – shape, behaviour, spirit identity would come from local narrative.
Expensive and prestigious: Da Abbi Egbelegbe masquerade is often described in local news and oral tradition as the most expensive masquerade to prepare/maintain among those in Buguma / Kalabari Amachree. This expense is not just monetary goods but of ritual cost, ritual risk, and political/social prestige. While I didn’t find exact cost figures in published sources, the consistent description in multiple recent news/obituary reports affirms that reputation.

THE SYMBOLISM, MEANING, AND WHY DA ABBI EGBELEGBE MASQUERADE IS FEARED AND RESPECTED

Available information report that the Egbelegbe carries strong ritual, symbolic, social, and political meaning.

Da Abbi Egbelegbe masquerade is not a mere performance. Like many masquerades in Kalabari and Niger Delta, it is believed to represent or invoke spiritual forces, possibly water spirits (Owu), ancestors, or protective powers. Its performance is considered a ritual, not simply theatre.
Because it belongs to the royal house and because kings have performed it, Da Abbi Egbelegbe masquerade confers prestige. Those who own, sponsor or control it are seen as wealthy, powerful, and culturally significant.
In local reporting, people speak of Da Abbi Egbelege masquerade with a mixture of awe. The costume, regalia, appearance, and behaviour in performance are dramatic, possibly fearsome. The masquerade is treated with seriousness. It may have restrictions as to who may see it at certain times, how it is approached, etc. While there are not detailed published rituals about taboo or danger, the fearsome reputation is part of its local identity.
Its acquisition from another community, its performance by kings, and its place in major festivals show that Egbelegbe is part of the political symbolism of Kalabari leadership, unity, territorial or lineage accomplishment.

COSTUME, APPEARANCE, AND PERFORMANCE DETAILS

Though comprehensive academic descriptions are lacking in published sources, these are what local sources and tradition provide:

Egbelegbe masquerade, apparently has very impressive headgear or mask components, possibly large, ornate, requiring craftsmanship, comprising carved parts, maybe cloth, beads, metal or wood. The exact design is not standardized in available online documentation. So, there may be local variation.
Da Abbi Egbelegbe masquerade uses high-quality, expensive cloths, beads, and regalia, plus colours, aprons, and heavy ornamentation. Because of its cost reputation, likely multiple special items are included.
Da Abbi Egbelegbe masquerade performs in dramatic, likely slower, deliberate, “mighty” masquerade style, as opposed to simply funny or light masquerades. The dance steps and processional style are formal, involving display of strength or ritual power.
Given traditional practices in masquerade culture, it is likely that there are restrictions on who may see the masquerade at certain ritual times, what may or may not be done. E.g., touching, photographing, impure persons, women at certain stages. These are common in masquerade cultures, especially for powerful masks. Though I could not find any scholarly article in print, newspapers, specifying Da Abbi Egbelegbe’s restrictions, it is noteworthy that the king “adorned and played” it in specific circumstances, which implies ritual rules.

WHEN AND HOW OFTEN DA ABBI EGBELEGBE MASQUERADE APPEARS

Egbelegbe appears in major festivals, especially those of high ritual significance, such as the Owu Aru Suun Festival / Owu Aru Sun Alali of the Kalabari people, and perhaps other Amachree lineage festivals. It is not an everyday or frequently rolled-out masquerade.

It may be shown during events related to the Amachree royal house, especially when the King wants to show spiritual leadership, community unity, or during important anniversaries.

Because of the cost implication, ritual preparation, and significance, Da Abbi Egbelegbe makes only rare or special appearances.

ROLE IN COMMUNITY, LEADERSHIP, AND SOCIAL STRUCTURE

As already noted, Kings of Kalabari (Amachree) have performed it at some time. This shows that Da Abbi Egbelegbe masquerade is embedded at the highest levels of tradition. It is a bridge between rulership, ritual, and public culture.

The Egbelegbe is owned or controlled by the Abbi branch of the Amachree royal house. So, whenever it is used, it carries the authority of that lineage.

The masquerade would require skilled artisans for mask/headpiece, costume makers, beadwork, perhaps, even ritual priests to prepare it spiritually.

The people see Egbelegbe as part spectacle, part spiritual event. Audience includes chiefs, elders, commoners. It probably commands more solemn respect than lighter masquerades.

Since it was acquired from Tombia, there may be ritual or social meaning around that acquisition, perhaps, alliance, respect, or prestige. Its ownership by Amachree house marks a historical event or tradition.

CHALLENGES

Because Da Abbi Egbelegbe masquerade is very expensive, there are special challenges around maintaining it:

Costume cost: Cloth, beads, carving, mask construction, special decorations will likely be costly.
Ritual cost: Sacrifices, purification, offerings required before performance, maintenance of sacredness all have cost and spiritual implications.
Human effort: Skilled artisans, dancers, masquerade performers require training. upkeep Knowledge and tradition also need to be kept up.
Logistic cost: Events where Da Abbi Egbelegbe masquerade appears will probably demand security, crowd management, performance space, procession logistics.
Risk of damage or loss: Because of elaborate costume pieces, mask pieces may be fragile. The headgear may be heavy. There may be wear and tear, and possible exposure to weather or accidents.
Making sure tradition is respected: There is also the challenge of ensuring that performance follows ritual rules, and that misuse for commercial display, etc. does not degrade its sacred meaning.

KNOWN INCIDENTS AND REPORTS

Local news sources mention that King Prof. T.J.T Princewill was the second King after King Kariboye Abbi Amachree IV to have adorned and played the famous Da Abbi Egbelegbe masquerade. Meaning, he personally performed it, which underscores how special Egbelegbe is.

In the context of reporting the passing of King Princewill, media noted his knowledge of the tradition and that Egbelegbe was among the masquerades he was famed for. This suggests that performance of Egbelegbe is considered part of the duty and identity of the King as custodian of culture.

WHY DA ABBI EGBELEGBE MASQUERADE REMAINS RELEVANT

Putting together all known information, here are reasons Da Abbi Egbelegbe masquerade is still an important aspect of Kalabari culture even today:

It is a living symbol of tradition and identity. Owning, performing, maintaining Egbelegbe connects present community to predecessors, legends, spiritual beliefs.
It embodies royal authority. Because Amachree kings perform or, at least, patronize Egbelegbe, it helps sustain the legitimacy of traditional rulers and of the cultural system.
It demonstrates craftsmanship and art. The costume, mask, headgear, dance and performance are art forms. Keeping them alive serves artistic, educational, and aesthetic purposes.
It signals prestige, wealth and social standing. Compounds or individuals involved in sponsoring and caring for Da Abbi Egbelegbe gain social recognition.
It plays a ritual and spiritual role in protecting the community, invoking blessings, and maintaining correct relationship with spiritual forces.
For broader cultural heritage and tourism, Egbelegbe is part of what makes Kalabari culture distinctive in Niger Delta and Nigeria. It attracts interest of researchers, cultural promoters, media.

CONCLUSION

The Da Abbi Egbelegbe Masquerade is one of the central masquerades of the Kalabari Amachree tradition. Owned by the Amachree Abbi lineage, acquired from Tombia, performed, sometimes, by kings, and held in high ritual and social esteem, it is much more than entertainment, it is a cultural emblem.

Because of limited documentation, especially in published academic sources, the knowledge about Egbelegbe’s full ritual, costume, and meaning depends a lot on oral tradition. Notwithstanding, this article has provided a good insight into this notable masquerade and how it reflects the culture and tradition of Kalabari/Buguma people.