Imo State: 2011 Oru Owerre cultural festival ends; bags government’s endorsement

Traditional ruler of Owerre Nchi-Ise, His Royal Majesty, Eze Emmanuel Emenyionu Njemanze, the Ozuruigbo of Owerre kingdom, weekend, scored a note of endorsement for cultural preservation in Nigeria, in particular and the continent, in general, when he described the annual cultural festival of his land as providing a rare platform for the promotion of unity and harmony in the society.

The annual festival may have also tacitly, if not officially, bagged the endorsement of the state government going by the retinue of state government officials who stormed the event in their various capacities in government.

Eze Njemanze who was remarking at the grand finale of the annual Oru Owerre festival in Owerri, the Imo State capital, said the age-long cultural festival of the Owerri communities remains a period of home-coming for all indigenes of Owerri during which time they come together to celebrate their tradition and origin.

The monarch who used the occasion of the festival to commend the state governor Chief Rochas Okorocha for appointing one of their sons, Nze Ben Osuji as his Special Adviser (SA) on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in his cabinet, said cultural festival served to remind the people of their roots in the same way as it also served as medium to strengthen family and societal ties.

The Oru Owerre (king’s festival) festival is an age-long traditional celebration of the Owerri, in present-day Imo State which roots is traced to the founding fathers of the community and which revolves around the eating of yam as a celebration of the harvest season.

Unlike most other Igbo communities, the Owerri communities do not celebrate the New Yam festival. Thus, the Oru Owerre represents the homage paid to the crop but as a symbol of the foundation of the land.

According to Eze Njemanze, the annual festival is marked by a period of the observance of peace, love, friendliness and togetherness, devoid of bitterness, quarrels, antagonism and physical confrontation, no weeping when death occurs during the period, no firing of cannon and a time to make up quarrels without third party intervention as stipulated by custom.

“However Oha Owere is the traditional institution responsible for its conduct and yearly observance. They determine the commencement of the period by a system handed down by our ancestors. The duration of the period is equally guided) by the same system. All the key events namely the beginning of the period, the roasting of the old yam, the corn porridge entertainment (Mkpu kpu uzo) and the day marking the end of the period are Orie market days.

“The period begins in the month of June and lasts till mid August. Between the roasting of old yam (Oru Owerre proper) and the corn porridge meal is the grand finale characterized by a colourful procession of age grade formations in Owerri community through given routes in the Old City.

“The procession assembles at Ugwu Ekwema Civic Centre from where it talks off and terminates at the end of the procession where invited guests are received and made to have a feel of Oru Owerre with traditional dances displays and entertainment. The first item of entertainment after the breaking of kolanuts by Eze Owerre is roast old yam. Ugwu Ekwema is our ancestral home which significance informed our choice of locating the Community Civic Centre.

In his address, the Chairman of the Planning Committee of Oru Owerre Festival, Chief Ambrose Nwodinmah on behalf of the people of Owerri commended all those who contributed in one way or another to make the festival a success.

Meanwhile, the presence of the Imo State governor represented by his deputy, Sir Jude Agbaso at the 2011 Oru Owerre festival was also seen as a demonstration of goodwill by the governor who deemed it necessary to give honour to whom honour is due, considering the fact that the Imo State Government House at Douglas House is located within the Owerri Municipal.

By identifying with the host community, the Imo State government is said to have set the pace for increased tolerance and hospitality, thereby paving way for a peaceful, united and progressive Imo State.

Okorocha, according to Agbaso, supports the Oru Owerre festival which he believes is a period to celebrate the tradition of Owerri people.

“The present administration in Imo State recognises and supports the authority of traditional rulers as well as the Igbo culture and tradition,” the governor stressed.

Highlights of the occasion include traditional dances and drama by Ekwema musical group, pouring of Oru Owerre libation pouring and the traditional cutting of Oru Owerre festival yam.

Dignitaries present at the occasion include, the Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ben Uwajimogu, the Senator representing Imo East in the House of Senate, Senator Chris Anyanwu, the member representing Owerri Municipal in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Mere and a host of others.

Oru Owerre is an annual cultural festival celebrating the founding of Owerri. It is one of the most important cultural festivals in Imo State and attracts national and international tourists every year. Prior to the start of the festivities, the elders of the community declare 40 days and 40 nights of absolute peace. For the Owerri man, it is unlawful for anybody or group to engage in any form of quarrel within this period.