Cultural Festivals and Settlement of Disputes in Nnerim Ndugba, Isu Local Government Area: The Case of Oghu Masquerade, 1960-2010

Abstract

Cultural festivals in Igboland and other parts of Nigeria are celebrated for the purpose of entertainment and other related issues, but in Nnerim Ndugba the purpose extends to adjudication and settlement of disputes and the acceptance of the verdicts. Therefore, this work is an attempt to highlight the Oghu Masquerade cultural festival and its adjudicative procedure in the settlement of disputes in Nnerim Ndugba, Isu L.G.A, Imo State. The work also covered the origin of the Oghu Masquerade, the various entertainment activities performed by the Masquerade. Similarly, the role played by the members during the induction of new members and influence from other agents of socialization like the church and Christianity Education were examined. Through analytical research, review of articles and journals, the activities of the Oghu festival and nature of its dispute resolution in Nnerim were studies. Finally, the work is of the view that the nature of dispute resolution and settlement through the mechanisms of the Oghu Masquerade is still effective as well as it’s entertainment function.