Masquerades are very important figures in Nigerian festivities.
Many cultures believe that they represent the ancestors while some believe they are gods. Whatever the case, they are believed to be mystical and hold related powers, hence should be respected.
Though masquerades are hardly seen except for very important events, such as special religious festivities or a funeral of a great person, they storm the streets during December, most especially in villages. These types of masquerades aren't exactly the revered ones, but are young men with acrobatic and dance skills in masks who take advantage of the already established reverence that comes with masquerades to go about chasing and flogging passersby.
Here are some of the things you shouldn't do when you meet one.
1. Don't show fear
As a passerby, resident or traveller, you may encounter masquerades who would accost you with their whips and canes, trying to get a rise out of you. This is the whole bane of the encounter because if you show fear, they will take advantage of that to harass you into doing what they want.
2. Don't feel forced to give money
Once you show fear, the masquerades will hold and scare you till you give them some money. They can go to the extent of flogging you. Be polite but firm, and let them know that you will not take any disrespect. If you feel like giving them money though, that's also fine.
3. Don't run
If you run, they will chase you and flog you, and you will just end up being part of the whole show. Stand your ground.
4. Don't take pictures without permission
People everywhere get fussy when you take their pictures without permission, so imagine a masquerade with a whip. If you want to take pictures with or of them, you would need to ask politely and probably have to give them some money for appeasement. However, you can try to sneak a picture or two if you know they aren't looking.