English: "The Ekpo" or Ghost masquerades is an ancient society that originated from the Ibibio ethnic nationality of Akwa Ibom State. Due to cultural relations, the society seeped into neighboring Igbo tribes; Aro, Ohafia, Abriba, Bende, Ohuhu, Ikwuano, Ngwa, Ndoki in Abia State, Obowu in Imo State and even up to the Ikwerre of Rivers State. The secret society is based on the belief in life after death, hence the masquerade is believed to be ancestral fathers who visit the realm of the living to involve in the affairs of men. Initiation into the Ekpo society is patriarchal and restricted to men. it begins with the boy stage, known as the "Ekpo ntokeyen". The second stage "Ataat", is the young adult stage while the last stage is the "Ekpo nyoho" stage. One must have been fully initiated into the society before marriage, after which they are promoted to the Ekpo nyoho stage. The Ekpo Season is between July-December, depending on Community. In some Ngwa and Ohuhu clans and Ikwerre clans like Isiokpo and Rumuji, the Ekpo festival is held in late December.