ELVIRA’S PEN

Have you ever seen a figure covered head to toe in colorful costumes… dancing, chasing people, or commanding silence in a crowd? That… is a masquerade. But in African culture, especially here in Nigeria, a masquerade is far more than entertainment. A masquerade is believed to be the  embodiment of a spirit , sometimes an ancestor, sometimes a deity brought to life through masks, costumes, music, and performance. Once the mask is worn, the performer is no longer seen as human… but as a spiritual presence among the people. These traditions date back centuries and play powerful roles in society ranging from storytelling and festivals to justice, spirituality, and even community protection. Now let’s explore some  notable masquerades and their origins. First, the legendary  Ijele masquerade , often called the King of all masquerades. Originating from the Igbo people, Ijele is massive, sometimes as tall as a house! It can take months to prepare and a whole team to carry. Ijele...

  KINDNESS IS AN INVESTMENT - Elvira Jordan Good Morning Beloved! 😊   I was walking along a busy road one day and I saw a beautiful lady who should be a few years younger than me, struggling with some bags. Normally, that eternal beef between ladies (which I still don’t understand) would have made me pass without even noticing. But I did notice and offered to help. Somehow, with my very small hands, I always want to help people to carry stuff. The surprise on her face, that a young girl like herself would offer help…. it was everything.    I helped her with her bags to a nearest bustop where she took a cab and we bid each other farewell. The smiles on her face and many many “thank you! God bless you” was enough payment for me. To my soul, it was like a chilled glass of juice on a sunny day.   Fast forward to many months later when I moved to a new city that is known for its harshness and cruelty, I had called a cab and had this big luggage I couldn’t lift into ...

Nigeria is full of culture… but some festivals?  Let’s just say if you’re not used to them, they’ll leave you shocked, amazed, and asking questions! Let’s talk about some of the most shocking and fascinating festivals in the country. First the legendary Eyo Festival in Lagos. Imagine thousands of people dressed completely in white… moving silently through the streets like spirits. Each group represents a different lineage, and they carry long staffs used to maintain order. No bikes. No sandals. No smoking. And if you break the rules? You might get chased down by a masquerade. Yeah… not your regular street parade. It’s not just a festival; it’s a sacred rite, often held to honor a departed king or chief. Now, travel to Kebbi State for the Argungu Fishing Festival. Thousands of men… one river… bare hands. At the sound of a whistle, they all jump in at once fighting to catch the biggest fish. It’s chaos. It’s competition. It’s survival of the fastest. And the winner? Earns massive res...

STANDING ABOVE PROBLEMS - Elvira Jordan Good Morning Beloved! ✨ My thought this morning is drifting towards the bitter-sweet nature of life as God has given. No matter how rich, beautiful, talented or intelligent we may be, we all have one issue or the other bugling our minds.  The way God created us differently and shared problems to us differently is what keeps us humble, activates our humanity, keeps our minds busy and helps us to thrive daily.  Even the best of us have one issue or the other bugling our mind. They may differ in magnitude, urgency or complexity but we are all going through something. Some people know how to carry their problems on their head, while others prefer to conceal it move on with life, yet they wake up everyday with a similar question and a similar prayer, “what will I do? God help me.” Therefore, don’t expect another person to understand your pain and carry it as their own, because they may not be going through your kind of pain but they are going...

Calabar, Cross River State-  Determined to spotlight the peculiar challenges of women in Ekuri forest community in Cross River State, the Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI) has organized a training on illegal logging activities and climate induced deforestation to elicit in-depth reports.  The training themed Women for Women to protect Ekuri forest and biodiversity held on Wednesday 25 March 2026 at De Grande Hotel and Rooftop in Calabar, the Cross River State. In her welcome to the participants, RDI Project officer, Linda Amadi said that the reports of Illegal logging activities in Ekuri forest have largely missed the impacts that women experience hence the decision of RDI to engage women journalists to take up the gauntlet of reporting them.  Amadi said that a Global Forest Watch report had revealed that illegal logging activities has cost Ekuri and the environs the loss of more than 540 square miles of its tree cover as at 2024 and that more than 200 truckloads of t...

Imagine wanting to marry someone… but before the wedding, you must survive public flogging, lie flat on the ground in front of her  But in Nigeria, a country with over 250 ethnic groups’ marriage traditions can be incredibly unique, sometimes shocking, and deeply symbolic. Here are some of the strangest marriage cultures in Nigeria. The Fulani In some Fulani communities in Northern Nigeria, a man who wants to marry must go through a ritual known as Sharo. And yes — it involves being whipped in public. Young men are flogged with sticks by challengers while the community watches. The groom must endure the beating without crying, running away, or showing pain. If he fails, he may lose the chance to marry the woman. But if he survives the ordeal bravely, he earns respect and proves he is strong enough to handle the responsibilities of marriage. For the bride, it’s actually a matter of pride if her husband passes this painful test. The Efik and Ibibio Tradition In parts of Cross River S...