Images of Ebiraland

By Ismail M. Kabir Eku Echichi parades in Okengwe Contrary to the speculations that the return of Echane festival may trigger violent crisis in Ebira land, the custodians of the Eku (Masquerades) seem to have come of age and improved on the modus operandi. In a bid to assess, first-hand, the manner with which the festival is being celebrated by the followers, EbiraView went round Okene, Eika and Okengwe towns where the masquerades freely entertain to the applause of the cheerful spectators. It could be recalled that the state government placed a ban on the Echane festival following violent crises that trailed the celebration in recent years. With the relative peace in Ebira land that followed the recent deployment of soldiers to smoke out all terrorists element in the area, the ban on the festival has been lifted consequent to efforts from concerned groups and individuals most of whose identities remain unclear. In Okene today (Monday June 10th 2013), a team of anti-riot po