Culture, feast of masquerades in Anambra

The end of year brings people back to their homeland. In Achina, Anambra State, the returnees revive their traditions, complete with vibrant masquerade displays. NWANOSIKE ONU reports

At the Yuletide, home is always irresistible to those dwell far away. There is a lot to catch up on. A lot to eat and drink.

In Achina, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, there is more to the season. It is a time to celebrate the Idegwu festival amid much fanfare.

This season, the community also celebrated what it calls the mass return of their sons and daughters from far and near, which happens in every three years.

Achina community is made up of three large quarters, namely Eselle, Umueleke and Umuezeiyi and the community is equally known for its historic war exploits.

The celebration of the community’s founding brought home all their professionals, businessmen and women, and scholars from the academia, among others.

The traditional ruler of the kingdom, Igwe Godwin Nnaemeka Obiora, the Eze Idegwu III of Achina, also marked his Ofala with a display of assorted masquerades.

The Amaiyi field, Achina was filled to the brim with different uniforms especially from women and cultural displays from them during their ‘Itu-nya dance‘.

The monarch used the ceremony to confer chieftaincy titles on some of the illustrious sons and daughters of Anambra, including the former Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University UNIZIK, Prof. Boniface Egboka, who is from a neighboring community of Umuchu.

Before the event which climaxed on the eve of the New Year, the traditionalists, led by 84-year-old, Nze Nnebelam Onyetusionu, had called out all the masquerades numbering over 100 at the Oye market for rituals.

The rituals were performed at the Eze-koro shrine, where women are forbidden to enter, located inside the Oye market square.

The Chairman of the organising committee, Nze Modestus Umenzekwe told The Nation that the ceremony was to herald the birthday of the community and nothing fetish in it.

He said the community is planning to make it a seven-year interval instead of the triennial arrangement to give their children both home and abroad enough space to prepare.

The event attracted dignitaries from far and near including the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Nwabueze Ngige, Sen. Andy Uba, representing Anambra South senatorial zone.

Also, Hon. Chidi Duru, former Chief of General Staff, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe, Hon. Eucharia Azodo and Minister of power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola SAN, who was represented by Engr. Ajayi were in attendance.

The Special Assistant to Anambra State Governor Chief Willie Obiano on Political Matters, an indigene of the community, Hon. Anayo Okpalaeke, told The Nation that it is an event where their people celebrate their culture and traditions.

He said the ‘Iti omu‘ (masquerade parade) started long ago in the area, adding that the difference between Achina and other areas in Nigeria in such occasions is that they don’t kill anyone.

Secretary, Idegwu Day celebration, Mr Sylvester Umenduka, said what was celebrated was Igbo heritage, inherited from their forefathers.

“It is our own way of showcasing Achina community to the whole world, to show the people our rich culture and traditions in our community,” he said.

For Nze Emma Nzekwe (popularly called Nzeakonobi) from Umueleke clan, there is no form of evil in the practice of their culture, bequeathed to them by their forefathers.

The Administrative Secretary of the community, Okpala Augustine, told The Nation that the 2018 edition of Idegwu festival was special to the community in many ways because, the organisation was different led by Nze Modestus Umenzekwe. Again, according to him, it coincided with the Ofala festival of their monarch, the mass return of their people and the assemblage of masquerades from far and near.

Also, The Nation gathered the invitation of dignitaries from far and near including the President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, made it unique for the first time.

All thanks according to the community should go to Umenzekwe, who attracted such heavy names to the community as the chairman of the organising committee, the epoch making event featured differnt stages of programmes, cultural exhibition, award recognition and pageantries.

Fashola in  his speech described Achina community as  sophisticated with socio-cultural and political system which they have  successfully used for develo-pments. He also used the event  to appeal to government to  create a good road networking in the community Igwe Godwin  Obiora appealed to Achina people to always maintain the peace and love that had existed among them and to always be a shining armour anywhere they found themselves.

Miss Okpara juliet was given an award for her outstanding performance in West African Examination Council and the best result in Achina.