Demystifying The ‘Itu Anya’ Monster

Title: The Story Of “Itu Anya Culture”
In Mba Asaa
Author: Jonathan C. Chimezie
Publisher: Gen-X Press Limited,
Port Harcourt
Pages: 74
Reviewer: Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi

Writers no doubt, are usually propelled to put down
their thoughts on paper for different reasons. While some   have the prospect of probably  being rewarded for hard work  one day, others may be  picking up a career in writing,  probably to fulfill a new found passion.  As a retired civil servant, anyone could have expected   Archdeacon  Jonathan C. Chimezie  to have chosen to write as a pastime,  and so, concentrate on  books mainly for families and friends, and of course, create fun and entertain his audience rather than tackling a difficult subject as The Story Of Itu Anya Culture In Mba Asaa.
Howbeit, the tone of the author depicts one driven by an agelong chequered life experience of both himself and his folks. Producing such a solid content in  an emotional outburst with such transparency that is terrifying to consider releasing to the public,  anyone who is acquainted with the operations of the subject matter, would know that the author seems to be treading on a terrain where even the angels themselves dread to tread.
Suffice it then to say that Archdeacon Jonathan C. Chimezie must be heading for a rescue mission for a people so dear to his heart, whose fortunes and future the enemy had for ages, held in bondage. Without any apology, he   blames the forefathers who preferred imported culture that has caused more harm than good, with increase in death toll, banishment  and unproductivity, to the existed cherished culture of his people, hence, this authentic and genuine content that he  believes is worthy of being shared.
In a clime where the power of  darkness seems to manipulate the fortunes and destiny of its victims, The Story Of Itu Anya Culture In Mba Asaa,  can not only be said to be apt,  it is as well timely, clearly capturing the reality of a people whose destinies have been caged for ages and have been rendered more inferior than slaves to the detriment of their socio-economic wellbeing in their own land.
The book is somewhat nostalgic about the fate of a people caught up in the web of conflict between two cultures and two ages, living on the borderline between two worlds; the one dying and the other in a painful labour about to be born, a problem the author describes as “complicated”.
It paints a pathetic picture of a people darkened in their understanding because of ignorance due to hardening of their hearts, because they were at great distance from God. Having lost all sensitivity, they indulge in great activities yet devoid of any visible progress. They live blindfolded  in a  world of illusion. The author’s eloquent appeal for a new morality, urges for a rejection of every trace of their past life – immortal lies, ignorance, hatred, killing, etc.
J.C. Chimezie describes the Itu Anya cult as an unproductive sect whose mythology is a classic falsehood, imported from the pit of hell that has corrupted, confused and hypnotised the good people of Mba Asaa, Omademe, Ozuaha, Ipo and Etioha. He declares that the activities of “Itu  Anya Cult”, do not qualify for a true culture but a secret cult in disguise, whose members commit heinous crimes, depriving non-initiates their fundamental rights and dragging minors into immorality.
Written in a simple descriptive manner, devoid of grandiloquence and rhetorical fancy, the author is able to convey his message to his audience by employing simple diction and local parlance, where necessary. Thus, the 74-page book encapsulates the ignorance, pains and dilemma of youths whose destinies have been mortgaged and left to rot in occultic cultural servitude in   Mba Asaa. Although the primary setting of this piece of work is Mba Asaa, a part of a larger social group in Ozuzu Clan of Etche in Rivers State, and Etioha town in Ohaji Local Government Area of Imo State, the author  extended his highlight of the Itu Anya culture to places such as Omademe, Ozuaha, and Ipo, all in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, whose inhabitants are also ardent participants of the culture.
The story behind the scene of Itu Anya culture, its modus operandi, acceptability and consequences among its followers in Mba Asaa, are what readers of  this book are expected to find out themselves as the author has conscientiously  bared same in this expository masterpiece.
As expected of a book that is targeted at the local audience, communal love, family and filial affection are persuasive in this literary work. The author tries to make a point that in a society where the will and freedom of man are oppressed in any manner, socio- economic development is usually far-fetched, a situation that only leverages its solution or remedy on western education and Christianity.
J.C. Chimezie’s understanding of the village life and his ability to capture the life, time and ordeals of his people in a documented literature, does not only enrich the delivery of the book, it  indicates  a removal of a ‘mysterious mask’, as members of the sect had always viewed any such bravery as “disrespectful” towards what is held sacred. Consequently,  it signals a ray of hope as those who are fed up with the culture, but lack the will power to disengage themselves, may begin to imagine a light at the end of the tunnel.
By this singular act of bravery demonstrated by the author, the people of Mba Asaa and their acolytes in Ikwerre and Ohaji LGAs  can now begin to see the mask shrouded in  falsehood that hitherto inflicted them with terror, gradually unveiled, hence, breaking the hard nuts that were untouchable, a no-go area, branded sacrosanct.
Unlike many literary works whose destinations can hardly be ascertained in a hurry, the book, The Story Of Itu Anya In Mba Asaa, is convincingly obsessed with perplexing imageries of loss of moral compass due to obnoxious practices and depravity of humanity. A scenario that calls  for pity for a people languishing in ignorance and poverty of the mind, whose soul, body and spirit will require God’s intervention to salvage. Hence, an invitation to embrace God at the end of each chapter, he never takes for granted.
Longing to have his people salvaged from the claws of ignorance, and transit to a society where industry and education  bring a desirable change of mindset towards God and His word, he calls on all and sundry, especially, the Rivers State Government, under the able leadership of His Excellency, Chief Nyesom Wike, to join forces to proscribe the practice and save what is left of the victims’ communities.
However, in spite of the author’s effort for aptness and  a free page to page flow, the book could not be ridden of noticeable jam- prints and avoidable typographical errors. Again, the book is  not balanced in  its   allocation of pages to chapters. While the first two chapters are poorly paginated, the rest are rather over paginated. The referencing pattern could not follow any known  style; for example, the American Psychological Association (APA) 7th edition.
These few inadequacies can nevertheless be  excused, being the author’s first literary expedition in the world of literature.
Without any sense of bias, the book, The Story Of Itu Anya Culture In Mba Asaa,  is ambitiously sensational and captivating. lt is a heartwarming and breathless, well documented work to read and treasure. ln perception, it is a “fisher of people’s” work for posterity. lt is the book of a grand-father of any other book that may be written in the same vein; if any. It is indeed geared towards saving lives and souls.
This handy literary presentation actually lives up to its billing. It is sufficient for what it is meant to achieve, namely: to create awareness that all the myths are based on falsehood; to unmask the mystery behind the cult and set its captives free. The timeliness of this publication may not be any less   divine than it is coincidental as the season, July to August,  is the time the initiation of this ‘nefarous culture’ is held any year it is billed to hold.
In all, I think this book presents a long-term commitment, and potentially a worthy investment of time. This investment can have many pay-offs, as  readers can begin reading not just as  typical consumers of content, but also as  genuine listeners to the heart behind the words being written.