Umudioka Community in Awka, Anambra State, celebrated its cultural heritage, ‘Ogbugbu Uta’ Ngene Agu, as adherents and visitors gathered to pay homage and offer prayers for blessings.
The ongoing festival, described by devotees as a significant spiritual and cultural event, featured masquerade displays, music, dance performances and other traditional rites at the Ngene Agu shrine in Awka.
The event started on Feb.21 and would end on Monday.
Speaking at the event, the Priest of Ngene Agu Deity, Umudioka community, Chief Nwokoye Nwosu, said that Umudioka was the last among the 33 communities in Awka to settle in the area.
Nwosu recounted that the early settlers suffered strange illnesses until Nwa Dioka brought medicines and healing through the Ngene Agu Deity, and prayed for the prosperity of the people.
According to the priest, the celebration symbolises the New Yam Festival of the deity and serves as a period of thanksgiving and supplication for adherents.
A traditionalist from Aguleri, Mr Ikwunne Anakwesi, said that Igbo tradition was as old as time.
He added that both Christianity and traditional religion demand truthfulness and uprightness from their adherents.
The priest said that tradition and culture could not go into extinction, as they remain integral to the identity of the people.
The Chairperson of Ngene Agu female adherents, Dame Onyebuchi Okoli, described Ngene Agu as a powerful deity that brings healing and solutions to challenges through its sacred water.
Also, Mrs Nneka Emesiani, another adherent, urged the people not to neglect their cultural heritage and roots, describing the festival as a strong demonstration of culture and tradition.
Also speaking, a skilled ‘Egwu Uvio’ player from Amanuke, Mr Onyenwe Ezeoba, said that it was wrong to assume that tradition and culture were fading.
Ezeoba maintained that as long as practitioners continue to uphold the customs, tradition and culture would remain relevant.
Highlights of the event included prayers, cutting of yams, musical performances by Okey Jakota, masquerade displays from various communities and the firing of traditional ‘Mkponana’ guns. (NAN)
