Igwekala is a revered Igbo deity associated with masquerades, specifically visiting Umunoha, a town in Imo state, Nigeria every four years around December. He is a feared and respected spirit, with no one allowed to approach him when he appears in the community. His shrine is located in a jungle covering over 100 acres near the center of Umunoha.
Igwekala is not a "God" in the traditional sense, but a powerful spirit or deity that manifests as a masquerade. He is known for his healing powers, and people from across the continent come to his shrine seeking health and recovery.
His shrine has a history of being raided by both the British during colonial times and the Nigerian Army during the Biafran Civil War.
The Igbo people believe in a complex pantheon of spirits and deities
