By: Abba Onyekachukwu, Abuja.
The Orumba Towns People Association, comprising indigenous of Orumba North and South Local Governments from Anambra State resident in Abuja, recently organized the New Yam Festival in Government Secondary School, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja. The event was a vibrant celebration of the community’s rich cultural heritage, attracting traditional rulers, title holders, and members of the Anambra community.
The Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Prince Emeka Egwuekwe, represented by Dr. Chidi Okoye, hailed the rekindling of the festival and the cultural revival. He emphasized the importance of preserving the community’s cultural heritage and urged members to ensure that their children learn their dialects and cultural practices.
“The New Yam Festival is a normal cultural practice in every Igbo family and Igbo community,” Dr. Okoye said. “We must practice our culture the way it ought to be, without mixing it with other traditions.”
The festival featured the presence of traditional rulers, including HRH, C.C. Okoli, the Eze Ndigbo in Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, who performed the traditional cutting of yam. Okoli, a prince from Ufuma ancient kingdom in Orumba, spoke about the significance of the festival, tracing its origins to Ufuma.
Other prominent traditional rulers in attendance included His Royal Majesty, Igwe Ochendo Ogidi-Igbo, Eze Igbo 1 of Ado Kingdom and the Wakili of Ado in Nasarawa state. The royal fathers hailed the organizers and urged for the festival’s continuity, emphasizing its importance in promoting the rich culture of Ndi Orumba and Ndi Igbo.
Comrade Eze Onyebuchi, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Chairmanship candidate in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), expressed his excitement about the festival, highlighting the importance of promoting Igbo culture. “We feel the sense of our culture, and we are committed to promoting it,” he said.
The President General of the Abuja Chapter of the Orumba Towns People Association, Hon. Ikenna Nwankwo, noted that the festival is an opportunity to showcase the community’s culture and promote unity among members. He called on Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo to support the community’s agricultural endeavors.
The New Yam Festival is a cherished tradition in Igbo land, marking the harvest season and the importance of yams in the community’s livelihood. The festival featured cultural displays, traditional music, dance, and art, showcasing the rich cultural diversity of the Igbo people.
The Orumba community in Abuja has once again demonstrated its commitment to preserving its cultural heritage and promoting unity among its members. As the community continues to celebrate this cherished tradition, it serves as a reminder of the importance of cultural heritage and the need to preserve it for future generations.
