This led to irreconcilable differences with her family which forced her to leave home, but Amazobi was determined to pursue her dream.

Contortionists are entertainers who twist and bend their bodies into strange and unnatural positions or shapes in order to entertain other people.

Though unpopular in Nigeria, Ifeoma met up with another contortionist, and then joined a community of about 20 more, who put on a show entitled “Limberness” to bring recognition to their work and win respect for the strength and long hours of training it requires.

“There was a lot of discrimination from my parents, people around me… everyone was just after me. They were like ‘no’, this is not what they want me to be,” she told Reuters.

Oyindamola Kolawole, 26, leads the troupe. He is scheduled to work at the travelling Circus Zyair for 10 months.

“They still find it hard to believe its real. That’s why we are putting this together for people to see that it is an extreme act and we are also human beings, we are not aliens,” he said of his Nigerian audiences.

Many who saw the show at a studio in Lagos said they were overwhelmed by the contortionists’ feats.

Kolawole and Amazobi have also had to reassure friends that they are not damaging their health with their performances and running the risk of huge medical bills.