The Isale Eko Descendants’ Union has expressed displeasure at the way the Eyo masquerade was depicted in a new movie, titled, Gangs of Lagos.
The movie, currently being streamed on Amazon Prime Video, was directed by Jade Osiberu and Kemi Akindoju, and starred Tobi Bakre and Adesua Etomi-Wellington, among others.
A statement signed on Wednesday by the chairman of the union, Mr Yomi Tokosi, read in part,
“In the movie, the unique Eyo masquerade indigenous to the Isale Eko community in Lagos was illegally and scandalously depicted as being used as a camouflage and subterfuge for murderers and gangsters operating in the Isale Eko area.”
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The statement read further,
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Eyo masquerade has been part of the unique cultural heritage of the Isale Eko community of Lagos since 1854 (179 years) and the Eyo is known as a masquerade for celebration in Lagos Island, and not an instrument of gang of criminals as illegally and scandalously portrayed.
Most importantly, the movie brought the Eyo masquerade and the people of Isale Eko into disrepute, who are now deemed criminally-minded in the eyes of right-thinking members of society.”
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The union lamented that its culture was “exploited in such a despicable and insensitive manner by Amazon Prime Video to the detriment of the Isale Eko community.”
“The illegal and scandalous depiction of the Eyo masquerade in the movie is actionable and has been lodged by the IDU with the National Film and Censors Board, including other major stakeholders,” the statement said.
The union said it was considering a legal action for the alleged damage done to the culture, tradition and image of the Eko community and the Eyo masquerade.
