How Onitsha's Ofala Festival Projects Its Identity
Culture and tradition embodies the belief and values of a given society or nation and no doubt, create a unique identity for them, hence the quest by different communities to project and maintain it.
The Onitsha people in Igboland, located in the Southeast of Nigeria is one of the areas that has remained steadfast in living out this mantra. This reflects in the manner in which they celebrate their rich cultural festival called Ofala.
The Onitsha Ofala festival is the most prominent cultural festival in Igboland. Being a two-day annual event, it is usually celebrated in the month of October.
This year's Ofala festival which is 14th in series since the installation of His Royal Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, was held on 9 and 10 of October.
It attracted many prominent personalities from within and outside Anambra state.
During the ceremony, Igwe Achebe called on Igbo people to start bringing their investments to Igboland to help in development of the area.
He equally urged President Muhammed Buhari to fulfil his campaign promises for the good of every Nigerian.
According to him, "The purpose of democracy, after all, is plurarity, particularly as it exists in our country. It is also our duty as electorate to pray for and give Mr. President all the necessary support to govern us aright."
In his speech, Cheif Willie Obiano, governor of Anambra state commended the onitsha people for strongly holding on to their rich cultural heritage, and also promised that his administration will collaborate with traditional institutions in the state in areas of dispute resolution among people.
Other dignitaries that attended the ceremony are: Senator Stella Oduah, representing Anambra North Zone; Speaker of Anambra state House of Assembly, Hon. Rita Maduagwu; Vice chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku.
The festival which is hosted inside the large Obi's palace is the climax of a series of new yam festivals held by different villages that make up the Onitsha kingdom.
The ceremony usually starts with a 21 gun salute on the first day. On the second day, various individuals in different traditional attires pay homage to the Obi. Also, the Obi perform royal dance followed by other traditional musical displays by the different villages and cultural groups, in a certain traditional order.
The Obi also uses the occasion to honour individuals with chieftancy titles.
The festival also serves to unify the people, as various indigenes of Onitsha both home and abroad gather during the feast. Long time friends and even families meet and reunite.
According to the Ojiudo Enema of Onitsha kingdom, Chief Michael Erokwu, the age long festival which was inherited from their ancestors, promotes their identity and unifies them.
“We the people of Onitsha are proud to have this uncommon ancestral social event, the Ofala Festival, and this has been the unifying force of our people, which is also our identity as a people. We are also keeping it alive with this celebration.
“The background of the Ofala Festival is traceable to our ancestors who celebrated and passed on to generations after them, and now it is our time of annually celebrating this important festival," Erokwu said.
The event equally has tourism potentials as it attracts people from different parts of the world who come to witness the event. The 2010 Ofala celebration attracted dignitaries like: members of the Jackson five family, Holly Wood actor, Walter James Jr. Historian, Bruce Bridge.
Every year, various corporate organizations like: Glo, MTN, etc., sponsor the festival as part of their corporate social responsibility to the area and equally use the opportunity to promote their products and services.