bOys' fraternity

  • Dates
    2017 - Ongoing
  • Author
  • Topics Fine Art, Documentary, Archive, Contemporary Issues
  • Location Nsukka, Nigeria

boys' fraternity is a project that seeks to explore the collective fantasies of the present day boy child in nigeria, through the theatricals of uraga and ajas masquerades - an ensemble of friends and brothers.

uraga and ajas is a masquerade found in nsukka, an igbo community found in eastern nigeria. this class of masquerade is attributed to children between the age bracket of 8 and 15. they emerge in early december, moving as an ensemble of friends to both public and private spaces, entertaining people who care to offer them tips for their acts, usually dance and music. they make money which they share among themselves and return to their parents before disbanding for the christmas festival.

in the igbo land, masquerades are embodiment of the spirit and the human worlds. the mystique surrounding the masquerade is one of the key components of the igbo culture that survived western influences. it is generally believed that masquerades are spirits of our ancestors, and they spring from the soil and show themselves either as arbiters in disputes involving indigents or participants in communal affairs such as festivals and rites.

boys' fraternity seeks to reveal the brotherhood, fantasies, the innate desires in the african boy child; the escapee and his ambition of becoming many things - as an adult would.