From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha

The people of Awka-Etiti community in Anambra State are beginning to come over the many years of lull brought about by the demise of their former traditional ruler and the skirmishes that trailed the election of a new monarch.

The new dawn began to show during the weeklong activities that marked the return of peace to the community and the coronation of Igwe Michael Chidozie Ezeudenna (Okagbado), as the new Obi of Awka-Etiti on December 23, 2016.

This was, however, consolidated by the community when recently it successfully hosted the 2017 Iwa Ji, new yam festival.

Like in many Igbo communities, the Awka-Etiti community looks up to the new yam festival as a period of peace and one to thank God for a bountiful harvest.

In Awka-Etiti, this year’s new yam festival was marked in an atmosphere of conviviality as the cabinet chiefs, prominent sons and daughters of the community converged on the Igwe’s palace for the ceremony before retiring to their various village quarters and families where they continued the celebrations.

Heralded by a 21-gun salute, the ceremony started with the outing of the Igwe and his Lolo accompanied by the cabinet chiefs who danced to the traditional Ushie music as the traditional ruler proceeded to take his seat.

While offering kolanuts at the ceremony, Igwe Ezeudenna prayed for the progress and general wellbeing of his subjects and the entire community.

He thanked the people of the community for their efforts in promoting brotherly love, peace and harmony in the town and urged them not to relent. 

He said the community would institute healthy competition among farmers whereby those who produced the greatest size of yams would be rewarded with a prize.

He encouraged more people to embrace farming, including the youths whom he counseled to toe the same path instead of looking for political jobs.

The traditional ruler said agricultural experts would also be involved so that modern farming methods would be applied which ultimately would result in a situation where the entire yams produced wholly in Awka- Etiti would be used in celebrating the new yam festival instead of buying from the market.

“What we are doing today is a tradition. It is a peaceful community that comes together to celebrate, if there is fracas, they cannot come together. The timely resolution of the crisis which erupted in our community coupled with the stabilising role played by Governor Willie Obiano in bringing the feud to an end deserves much commendation. We are expectant that more happy days awaits us in this community as we see open door to progress, goodwill from our neighbours and good health for all. Let God do these for us and more we pray,” the Igwe prayed.

While the women presented the roasted yams with the accompanying sauce of red oil with local oil bean, the Igwe proceeded to cut the yam into eight pieces, one for him and one for each of the seven village quarters that make up the town.

Amidst cheers from the crowd, the traditional ruler took one, dipped it in the sauce and ate while representatives from the villages of Nkolofia, Umunneocha, Ejighinnandu, Iruowelle, Umudunu, Nnaba and Ogunzelle, proceeded to the Igwe’s table to take on behalf of their villages.

Soon after, time of paying homage to the Igwe with gift items began in earnest. The town union executives led by the President General, Mr John Unachukwu were the first to open the floodgate with gift items.

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Chief Jasper Okpalafuluaku who also paid homage to the traditional ruler in a chat remarked that though the community is not noted for the large scale cultivation of yams they are making inroads in that now.

While congratulating Igwe Okagbado for marking the maiden Iwa Ji ceremony he advised the members of the community, Anambra and Ndigbo in general to celebrate any festival with decorum and avoid over indulgence in consuming everything, noting that too much consumption of anything edible has its own consequences.

Okpalafuluaku expressed hope for an abundant harvest this year leading to food sufficiency for Ndigbo and the country in general.

The pharmaceutical merchant also commended Governor Obiano for the prevailing security in the state and said that if the tempo was maintained, the governor would record a clean sweep in the coming election in the state. 

President General of the Women Wing of Awka-Etiti Improvement Union, Dr Chinwe Olikaeze, whose team also presented kola and other gift items on behalf of the entire women of the community, described Iwa Ji as one of the main customs of the Awka-Etiti people.

She said the womenfolk had to identify with the traditional ruler because they are full-fledged members of the community with several roles to play.

Also Chief Barth Eli described those without culture as people without roots and identity. 

He described life as a relay race, noting that other monarchs have done their part and left, saying that Igwe Okagbado would continue to enjoy the support of the community.

He described the traditional ruler as an embodiment of wisdom who does not oppress the downtrodden, adding that the community would benefit more from his reign.

The cabinet Secretary, Ichie Ebele Enemuo in a chat with Oriental News described the new yam festival as one of the traditions handed down to the Igbo people by their fore-fathers.

He disclosed that while the traditional ruler flagged off the ceremony in his place, other village heads and families could then go home to celebrate their own according to their individual choices and levels.

He noted the popularity of Igwe Okagbado made it possible for many people to attend this year’s celebration, including the appearance of about 15 masquerades.

Also   Chief Obiora Nzewi said that the community attached much importance to the festival, noting that the tenets and traditions of one’s people should be emulated.

He said some people sheepishly follow western culture, brandishing such as Christianity whereas it was purely European culture.

He said the new yam festival was like the biblical injunction of bringing first fruits and offering sacrifices to God before consuming the yams.