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Samples / Owu
The owu dance takes place
around Amiri, Awo-Omama, Omuma and the rest
of Oru / Orlu region of Imo state.
Owu festival is used to celebrate
the new harvest season.
Popularly known as new yam festival, this
festival takes place between May and August.
the meaning of the white feathers and the
white clothes are: Purity and freshness.
Throughout these period, there must be no quarrels or fights between husbands and
Wives, children, neighbours, in the entire region that this dance or festival is taking place. If there happen to be a fight or quarrel, those involve must offer to the gods a goat, or chicken through the elders of the village. This in their turn will offer it to the ancestors, so that the land will be cleaned again.
 It is the task of the Black masker popularly known as OKOROSHA or NWAOLIGHO to move to the houses of the offenders to request and collect the goats or other things requested by elders and gods, which will be used to clean the land
Each black mask had his unique name given to him by the villagers or the owners.
This dance has its own night part. And in all the nights that these takes place, women are not allowed to move alone in the night throughout this period and also men who are not initiated into this dance.
But if it is a must that they will do that, they will not move alone. And when moving,
They will be shouting or giving some signs with light, that the gods will know that
Women are coming to give them chance to pass.
Throughout these period, no other type of cultural dance is allowed to take place.
Except in a special occasion like the dead of a VIP person in the village.
In which during the burial, other type of cultural dance will be needed.
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