The breeze was cool as the vehicle glided in motion and in mild, almost fluid pace with the sweet melodious song at my pleasure playing in the background. I was filled with curiosity about the event I was travelling all the way from Enugu state to witness. After a short while, we entered the biggest business transaction market in Onitsha, heading toward Obosi, a popular town situated in the western part of Anambra state, South Eastern Nigeria.
I was in the company of my friend Paschal, who also happened to be from Obosi, and few other members of my club, "The Back Packers". We were all filled with excitement and anticipation as we headed towards Obosi for the 'ITO OGBO OBOSI FESTIVAL'.
Throughout our journey, I almost could not breathe out of joy and excitement for I'd heard a lot about the rich culture of Ancient Obosi people precisely Ukwala kingdom. We arrived at the last bus stop where our journey took another dimension as we boarded another vehicle going to our destination ‘Obosi”. Throughout our journey inside the town of Obosi I saw a lot of signpost with beautiful artistic write-ups and decorations in different compounds. I managed to read through some of them and most of them were all about the great event I was about to witness. All the signage had one thing in common; pictures of old men and/or women with the inscription 'Ito-Ogbo IRUGO@80, Irugo Age Grade', that was when I realized we were already in Ukwala Kingdom, so quickly I asked my friend, Paschal to tell me more about the Ito-Ogbo festival, he smiled mysteriously and said,
"Wait and see it for yourself".
It was on Friday evening and even though a part of me actually wanted to wait, but my curiosity got the better part of me, so I asked once again;
"Why is it a three-day event?"
"It's more than a three-day event", he replied.
He went further to explain that there were other programs attached to the festival. He equally told me how his people usually come back home from different places, far and wide, to witness the event. It was rather more of a week-long program which included Lectures and Seminars, Health outreach programs anchored by Obosi Health professionals in the Diaspora, Cultural displays (Dance, Masquerades, Poetry, Recitals etc), Football competition and Ada Obosi Beauty Pageant, but from Friday(which happened to be today) till Sunday, the major activities that usher in the "Ito-Ogbo" festival will take place. The grand finale would be the coronation on Saturday.
No sooner had he finished his explanation, than the vehicle brought us to our final destination. A conspicuous signpost with the words 'Dan Anyieji' crescent boldly written on it, served as a landmark identifying the path to Paschal’s compound. The crescent happened to share the same surname with Paschal, his grandfather’s name. The atmosphere was alive with people parading the vicinity showing that they were anxiously waiting for the next day. The excitement coming from the hustle and bustle of people around was rather infectious. It was the eve of "Ito-Ogbo" festival and it was required of each celebrant, to slaughter a fat cow for his/ her family and that night was a night of celebration and merriment, dancing etc to usher in the day of coronation.
Culture is the total way of life that people in the society are identified with. It is the characteristic of a particular group of people, defined by everything they are; religion, food, habits, music, dance, crafts and mode of dressing. The Ito Ogbo Obosi is an age long, triennial festival peculiar to the people of Obosi dated back to the sixteenth century. It was a symbolic and unique celebration of Obosi's octogenarians with dignified respect and acknowledgement of the age grade. Ito-ogbo of an age grade is the collective celebration of octogenarians' birthdays for and by that particular age grade. It is pertinent to note that individuals can celebrate their 80th birthday but only an approved age grade can celebrate Ito-Ogbo ceremony. It was the celebration of life and longevity held once in three years.
The next day being the D-day I witnessed one of the colourful and rich festivals of Obosi kingdom. The ceremony could be likened to a town mass birthday for the octogenarians at the Obosi stadium thanking God for preserving the lives of the old ones and granting them good health. One unique feature of this ceremony was that every celebrant must slaughter at least one cow. There was more than enough meat to go round. It was a festival of merriment.
At the stadium, the celebrants were honoured with titles by Igwe Obosi Chidubem Iweka Eze Ogadagidi. The men are decorated with red caps and addressed with the title ‘Ogbueshi’ (meaning one who has killed a cow, literally) while the women were also adorned with special weaved tassel hats and bestowed the title 'Nwanyi Nokwudo Eshi’ or 'Ogbueshi Nwanyi’(A woman who has killed a cow).
While giving them these honorary titles, the celebrants were declared senior citizens of obosi ancient kingdom and from that day onward the Age Grade would be traditionally and customarily exempted from communal levies, taxes and all sorts of labour according to the Obosi tradition. They, Ogbueshi, are also expected to be peaceful, speak the truth and reconciliatory in all their dealings with their fellow human beings.
After the coronation, each person would dance in jubilation with his/her family and in the company of friends and family all the way back home to be met by refreshments and more cultural displays. A lot of Government official and business moguls from all works of life and from different parts of the world were present. The arena was colourful and filled with different Masquerades and dance troupes from all over the country. From the Asharuwa dance troupe from Plateau State to the Tiv dance troupe from Benue State down to Abiriba dance troupe from Abia state, Pammy udu bonche Africa from Enugu state and the well known Atilogwu dance from Anambra etc.
Nkem Emodi, one of Obosi's patriotic daughters, gave an electrifying and flawless performance with her melodious voice accompanied by dancers. Our very own Nigeria legendary music icon Onyeka Onwenu also graced the event with her remarkable and unforgettable tunes.
The celebration continued well into the next day. The traditionalists amongst the celebrants visited the famous Eke market square early the next day, to give the due rights and respect to the gods and forefathers who have long traveled to the other side on a journey of no return. The Christians amongst the celebrants went for Thanksgiving to their respective churches. The goal of the festival is to celebrate longevity, inspire health and pious lifestyle among aging and to also encourage the middle-aged and the youths. The festival promotes Obosi's ancient kingdom’s rich cultural heritage.
More pictures from other side attractions below: (I just couldn't help myself!!)
No comments:
Post a Comment