Agbogho Mmuo, or Maiden Spirits are annual performances held during the dry season in the Nri-Awka area in the northern part of the Igbos' traditional territory in Nigeria. Performed only by men wearing masks, the masquerades imitate the character of adolescent girls, exaggerating the girls' beauty and movements. The performance is always accompanied by musicians who sing and play tributes to both real and spirit maidens.
The literal translation of Agbogho-mmuo is "maiden spirit".[1] While the masks depicting young females are most common, Chinyere G. Okafor argues that Agbogho-mmuo "is not limited to youthful spirits"; instead, it refers more broadly to masks representing the "female 'essence'".