"Egwugwu" is used in Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe to represent the gods.
Tribesmen put on masks to represent the egwugwu whom are ancestral spirits. They represent the egwugwu during important ceremonies including the tribal courts and funerals.
One of the egwugwu was unmasked, killing the egwugwu.
They represent the gods and the gods' will. They are said to be taken by the spirit of the gods. The villagers immensely respect them as they are sacred beings.
Okonkwo is happy with the egwugwu's actions because they helped maintain the order and justice in the village. The egwugwu represent the ancestral spirits and act as judges to settle disputes and maintain harmony within the community, which aligns with Okonkwo's values of strength, tradition, and respect for authority.
The egwugwu was the "system of government", but was also associated with religion. Not only was it sacred and thought to be a spirit, but it would help people with their every day problems. The egwugwu is similar to the Grand Jury mixed with a priest.
Enoch, a Christian convert, unmasks an egwugwu, killing it.
The chief egwugwu is called Evil Forest.
They have large tribal masks over their face. They represent the spirits of ancient ancestors. They are the final judges of all upon earth.
Okonkwo did play the role of an egwugwu in the egwugwu court.
Each egwugwu represents a village of the clan. There are nine villages in the clan.
The egwugwu gather for several reasons:FestivalsCourtFuneralsRevenging the death of one of their own.
Enoch's unmasking of the egwugwu enrages the clan, and forces them into option.