A young lady has brought back to public attention an old video featuring the late Nollywood actor Alexx Ekubo, in which he enthusiastically describes a formidable masquerade from his village. The video, which was recorded before the actor's death, has been circulating online following the announcement that he passed away due to kidney cancer.
Alexx Ekubo's Pride in Igbo Culture
In the resurfaced footage, Alexx Ekubo can be seen expressing his admiration for the masquerade known as Nkita Oku. He describes it as not only visually stunning but also full of character and tradition. The actor explains how the masquerade moves, noting that its heels do not touch the ground as it walks, and it carries bells and a unique presence.
Ekubo's description of the masquerade: He stated, "Nkita Oku, beautiful masquerade in our village. He was a masquerade that has poise. Nkita Oku was the kind of masquerade that would come out like this with white singlets. He had whatever they made this thing with, and he had a jingle bell and he had a bob, and when he walked like this, his heels didn't touch the ground."
He further elaborated on the masquerade's behavior, saying, "And he had two bells in his hands, and everywhere he would go, he would just go there, and he had ginger. Nkita Oku." The actor went on to explain the consequences for those who encounter the masquerade, emphasizing that if someone runs, it will chase them, but if they stand their ground, the masquerade will assess them and potentially engage in a test of manhood.
The Masquerade's Interaction with People and Cars
Ekubo shared anecdotes about the masquerade's fearless nature, including how it would climb onto cars and bounce on them. He said, "That was the masquerade that Kanu Nwankwo used to carry. Like all those big boys. If your car is on the way, it will climb on your car and just bounce. He will just come with that bounce and be doing like this, like a boxer, with his two bells and he has smoke. The Igbo culture is so rich."
In the video, Ekubo also spoke about his love for his culture and how he would proudly belong to the same culture in his next life. He mentioned the phrase "Aronchukwu" and described how the masquerade would respond to those who talked back at it.
Related Stories and Tributes
In a similar vein, Legit.ng reported that a barber named Ola Clovis Abang shared how the late actor helped his life and career. Ekubo gave him a chance when many others ignored him, leading to increased recognition and respect for the barber in his hometown.
Additionally, after the news of Ekubo's death, a UK-based doctor named Kelechi Love Ezeudensi shared messages she had sent to him before he died. In those messages, she checked on him, encouraged him, and advised him not to give up after noticing his prolonged absence from social media.
The video has sparked conversations about Igbo traditions and the cultural significance of masquerades, with many fans and followers paying tribute to the late actor's passion for his heritage.
