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An egwugwu is a masked spirit representing a clan ancestor in Igbo culture. The villagers are horrified when Enoch unmasks one because it is considered sacrilegious to remove the mask of an egwugwu and it is believed that doing so will bring misfortune and punishment to the offender.
In the novel "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe, an egwugwu is a masked ancestral spirit that serves as the physical representation of the village's ancestors, laws, and customs. The egwugwu are held in high esteem and are considered sacred by the villagers of Umuofia. The masks are created by skilled craftsmen and are used in important village ceremonies, such as the annual yam festival or funeral rites. When Enoch, a zealous convert to the Christian religion, unmasks one of the egwugwu during a ceremony, the villagers become horrified. This action is considered a great insult to the ancestors and the entire village.
What is an egwugwu and why are the villagers horrified when Enoch unmasks one?. (2023, Jul 01). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/qa/literature/what-is-an-egwugwu-and-why-are-the-villagers-horrified-when-enoch-unmasks-one
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