Atụ
The dance i am going to explain to you is the ATU Masquerade Dance
This dance is indigenous to the people of Ekama Amankwo Ngwo.
The story about Atu that I will tell you is
Atu represents a strong and fierce animal
The animal, Atu that we are referring to, which is mimicked by a masquerade is known to chase or instill fear in people
The masquerade which imitates Atu... holds cane in both hands
This is to ensure that any particular space or place is calm at any point in time.
In the beginning, Atu masquerade was only seen in burial ceremonies
But in recent times, it is used to entertain people to make them happy
Because its dance style is different and brings happiness to people in its own way.
This Atu masquerade we are referring to was restructured to not only flog people as a way of ensuring calmness in a place but also to dance and create fun afterwards
So around 1988.. When the Adamma dance group wanted to appear at the National Festival Lagos...
We had restructured Atu masquerade to stop flogging only and have the ability to entertain people
Because Atu masquerade is... a strong animal, women pr
Children have no business with it because it's not for women and children.
Like earlier mentioned, it is only seen in burial ceremonies but now
There is no ceremony or time it is not seen so long as it is demanded for.
This include child naming ceremonies where it is invited to entertain people
Through due invitation process, Atu masquerade responds to ceremony invitations to perform
The Musical Instruments for Atu dance includes ©gene (metal g®ng) and different types of abia (talking drums) including the one held under the armpit while playing.
The Musical Instruments for Atu dance includes ogene (metal gong) and different types of abia (talking drums) including the one held under the armpit while playing.
These also Include udu, flute (oha/Opi) and Oha among others.