Some masks used by masquerades are human or animal-like. Some animal forms which masquerades may appear like include birds and tortoises.
There is another class of animal-like masquerades that are scary-looking masquerades like the one in this video.
These set look like wild beasts. The one in the video takes the form of a leopard; with long canines and horns.
Its attributes signify masculine energy in the Igbo culture where this mmanwu originates from.
In times past, these masquerades come out shortly before communal warfare.
It helps ginger and pump the youths of the community with some adrenaline, shortly before they go for battle.
