african-art

Ìtàn: West African Artistry

Do you know the story behind Juju kalaba / Ojuju Calabar?
https://zora.co/collect/base:0xeb0238ccf908ef4da3c9227c1382626e605718b3/12?referrer=0xC24a9aEED5220a9E19f6cD4D78a87Dd6348746AF

When we were kids back home (Cameroon), adults with frighten us with « Juju Kalaba » and in our imagination it was a kind of monster living in the darkness. 

I was curious about it and researched it. 

Turns out, it's linked to Nigeria's "Ojuju Calabar," a rich, colorful masquerade tradition

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Here is an article that tells the story. 

Basically, adults use the Ojuju Calabar myth to control children's behavior, suggesting that beyond its use to induce fear and compliance in children, it has no real impact on their well-being or circumstances.

Here is an article that tells the story. 

Basically, adults use the Ojuju Calabar myth to control children's behavior, suggesting that beyond its use to induce fear and compliance in children, it has no real impact on their well-being or circumstances.

 https://guardian.ng/opinion/ojuju-calabar/

The "Ojuju Calabar" features vibrant, intricate costumes that are far from the monsters of our childhood fears lol. 

These costumes actually embody deep cultural myths, spirituality, and community values. 

Since I am in a journey to (re)discover and share African culture, I clicked.