MONARCH ISSUES NEW CALENDAR OF TRADITIONAL FESTIVALS; SET TO APPEASE DEITIES.
The Asagba of Asaba, HRM Obi (Prof) Chike Edozien, has issued a new calendar of Asaba traditional festivals and events for 2023 to correct typographical flaws in an earlier timetable.
In the new calendar signed by the monarch, traditional activities commenced on May 14 2023 with the Onishe Day celebration, followed by other observances such as the Ulor Festival.
The traditional calendar would however take full swing on August 18 with the Ikpu Alu/Odozi Ani (land cleansing) ceremonies.
The rituals would begin with the Idozi-Ihu-Ani Ebo-na-Ogbe on August 18, Idozi Alusi di na Ahaba and Idozi Ani Ahaba.
The Aja Festivals would follow with the Nkwo Aja and Ichu Aja ceremonies on August 23 and August 24.
Other Aja ceremonials such as the Mgbaja (wrestling) would take place from August 25 to August 27, while the Aja festivals would be concluded on August 28 with the Igbaji Eke ceremony.
Meanwhile, the traditional year of the Asaba people would reach its best moments with the Iwaji (New Yam) Festivals that would commence on September 8, 2023. Umunne and Agu-na-Ugboma would take their turns to do the Egwu Anyasi on September 8 and September 9.
The Igochi Ezeugbo-na-Asagba would hold on September 10, followed by the Iwaji Eze-Ugbo on September 11, and the Egwu-Efifie Uze-Ugbo on September 12, 2023.
The Asagba would take his turn to break the new yam on September 13, just as the village heads, Obis (Red Caps), palace chiefs, other chiefs, and all Asaba indigenes would follow suit.
The Iwaji festival would end with the Olioma Festival on September 26.
The Ineh Festival, which would commence on October 2, 2023, would draw the curtains on the Asaba traditional year. The Ineh observances would include the Ika Ineh, and Itucha Ikenga on October 2 and October 3, while the Asaba Memorial Day would be observed on October 7.
Umuonaje, Umuezei, Ugbomanta, Umuagu, and Umuaji would take their turns to observe the Ineh festivals.
Events and activities for the 2023 Asaba traditional calendar would be exhausted on October 11, 2023.
The Iyase of Asaba (Prime Minister), Obi Patrick Onyeobi, in previous chats with our correspondent, had underscored the importance of the customs and traditions to the existence of the Asaba people, despite issues of urbanization, political status and antecedents of the ancient city.
Obi Onyeobi once said, ‘’Ingrained in our culture, is the acceptance of, and celebration by the generality of the people, our annual festivals which have existed since time immemorial.’’
NIM
