however, the origin of ijele according to available oral story, emanated from akwunechenyi dance group belonging to umudiana village of ikenga umueri. it was this very group that performed the first "izi egwu ijele"(introduction of the mask) to other communities. the first village to be introduced was umuatuolu village of umueri, subsequently followed by igboezunu aguleri, nsugbe, nneyi umueri, nando, awkuzu etc. its pertinent to note that igboezunu aguleri was instrumental to introduction of the masquarade to ivite aguleri, igbariamu, nteje, and some other villages outside omabala areas.