Egwu Ogba Kicks Off With Cultural Festivities

The entire Ogbaland in
the Ogba Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area is now in a festive mood following the proclamation of the date of this year’s Egwu Ogba festival.
In line with the tradition of the people, the proclamation was performed by the oldest member of Umu-Akoku Royal family, Aburu Community Erema Town in the Ogba Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, Elder Uwanu Zachariah Igbokwe.
The festival was fixed for August 14, 2014. Prior  to the proclamation ceremony, Elder Igbokwe who is 110 years told The Tide that the festival is as old as Egi and the entire Ogba ethnic nationality. He said that the Egwu-Ogba festival was introduced by ancient  people to celebrate the havest of new yams in the entire Ogba kingdom.
Also  speaking, the Eze Igrabveny I designate of  Erema Town, Obulor Chibuzor said that during the festival all old yams would be disposed off throughout Ogbaland.
He said that apart from the traditional dimension of the festival, it also brings unity among the various communities in Egi land as Ezes of the various communities gather to pledge their loyalties to the Egi monarch.
The proclamation  ceremony which  took place at the Erema Town play-ground witnessed the assemblage of traditional rulers of Egi extraction.
Prominent among whom are, the Eze Egi, HRM Eze (Dr) Kingdom Elewa, Eze Egi Etiti, HRH Eze London Nwaobiyebe and Eze Ikeagwu Akoku, Eze Ahiahu of Egi, amongst others.
Also at the event  were members of Egi Elders Council, Egi Council of Traditional Rulers, Egi Council of Juju Priests, Umu Akoku Kindred, Umu-Akoku women amongst others.
The proclamation of the date for th festival was heralded  by the sound of agog, by the Amala of Egi, Elijah Obulor, thereafter the Umu Akoku women danced round the area in a single file.
Speaking with newsmen during the ceremony, the Eze Egi, HRM Eze (Dr) Kingdom Elewa said that the festval signalled the harvest and consumption of new yams throughout Ogbaland.
The king said that the Ogbas would continue to observe the festival irrespective of foreign influences in the area. Son of the oldest man, Mr. Godspower Igbokwe advised youths to refrain from violence during the festival.
The festival also featured the unveiling of Almanac by Egi Amala