International Journal of Contemporary Research in Multidisciplinary

This study investigates the metaphysical/spiritual connotations as well as the functionality of masquerades in Igbo-African cultural context and the stance of the Church in integrating masquerading into the Christian religion. Masquerade could be anything that completely or partially hide the identity of the individual person wearing it. It is mainly for entertainments. Hence, it is for social matters and has nothing spiritual or metaphysical about it. Masquerade in this understanding includes what thieves used in covering their faces, or by some security personnels. However, muonwu denotes in Igbo-African milieu, the ancestors manifesting in the physical world as a way of demonstrating that they are not annihilated but are now in another realm over and above the empirical physical world. Hence, muonwu is both metaphysical and has many spiritual implications and connotations about it. Obviously, "Inculturation," the integration of indigenous cultural practices into a religion, should not be approached recklessly or carelessly. The author finally concluded that the church should typically approaches inculturation with caution and consideration, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the cultural elements being incorporated prior to proceeding.