When Tradition Hurts: The Tragedy Behind My Hometown’s Masquerade Festival

There are some cultures that are becoming questionable in my tribe. Currently, I am in my hometown for some assignment before travelling back to Lagos State City, where I reside. It's been two days since I returned, and my observations so far with a particular culture are not palatable, I must say.  ***** Culture indeed is the people's way of life, the way we dress, our language, our food, and our mode of celebrating traditional marriages and other traditions established by our forefathers, which we still uphold and practice. That's fine; however, regarding the masquerade festival or whatever, the way it is going currently in my hometown is quite different from the way it used to be when I was growing up. The turn out is bad, and it's evil. ***** This period of the year happened to be that time when masquerades showcase themselves in respect of our culture, but they started flogging passersby so badly that a woman lost her life already. I mean, a cultural event like this is meant to be fun and not sad. People shouldn't lose their lives because of culture. ***** Now, what the masquerade scattered everywhere does in my village is flog every human that passes by that refused to give them money. The beating is extreme; people run for their lives with fear and their hearts panting. I personally fell a victim yesterday, and it wasn't funny. I was in a tricycle, and the masquerade commanded our driver to stop, but he didn't. The masquerade quickly started flogging everyone inside the tricycle continuously. It wasn't a good experience. What this means is that if I don't have money to give them, then I am restricted to moving around the town. That's unfair if you ask me. ***** This woman I heard lost her life already was running away from the terrible beating she received from the so-called masquerade when she missed her step and fell, then broke her legs, and the masquerade fled immediately. In the process of managing her in the hospital, she started bleeding and died. It's sad!  ***** There are still cases of other casualties caused by these evil masquerades patrolling my hometown, and yet, they go scot-free all because it's a culture? I am a woman and don't have a say to the elders when it comes to how some cultures are being practiced, but I feel uncomfortable and pained over this current happening. It's surprising to see young guys parading as Masquerade in this town when they should be serious with their destiny, but it is what it is; after all, life is a choice, right? ***** *I only hope that culture should be practiced in a way never to hurt the people*. ***Images were taken from Canva***.