Last year, it was a super trado-cultural convocation on Thursday December 30, 2021, at the serene, ancient Kingdom of Uzoagba, in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, where an oracle, a boundary-less philanthropist, and a colossus of no mean feat; Clan Chief (Prof) Chimezie Kingsley KSC (Ebubemba Ikeduru, Ahumara Eze Mma na Umuguma, Akanasucha-Ubiam na Ichida) and his kind-hearted wife; Chief Lady Maureen Nneka Kingsley (Odi-ukonamba Amaimo) held a monumentous crowd of guests to a 48-hour high-stake festivity, in celebration of his second annual Ofala festival; in commemoration of his second year anniversary of his conferment, investiture and coronation as Ebubemba Ikeduru.
With a “solid whitish substance” known as “Nzu” which is famous for its high traditional and cultural significances in a typical Igbo parlance; Ebubemba Ikeduru, dressed gorgeously in expensively made trado-cultural regalia, decorated with gold fittings and silver linings; with his amiable wife, Chief Lady Odi-ukonamba; Blessed the four (4) Igbo market days, for his people, in the like and form of a benevolent angel and decreed thus;
Eke, ga eketere anyi ihe oma!
Nkwo ga-akwotara anyi ihe oma!!
Afo ga-afotara anyi ihe oma!!
Orie, ga-ariotara anyi ihe oma oo!!!
And thunderous “Iseeeeee!!!” followed, the Igbo prayer of blessing.
In every Igbo traditional society, there is always a signature culture, customs or traditions for which they are known and identified with; some germinated from the village or town (indigenous) while the others were either borrowed or acquired after series of rigorous traditional process and then acculturated; and these cultures or traditions are performed, observed and celebrated seasonally or periodically, such as yearly or biannually.
Ofala festivals are periodic celebration marking significant events in the life of people, a community or a personality whose achievements and given back to the society is enormous and commendable.
They are a re-enactment of historical, religious and traditional events which serves as a medium to transmit ideas, aspirations and the philosophy of people which makes life meaningful.
The festival is an occasion for celebrating especially a day, time or moment of religious or cultural significance that recurs at regular intervals. It is a time people do something they normally do; they carry to the extreme behaviours that are usually regulated by measure.
Since the past three (3), an illustrious son of Uzuagba Clan in Ikeduru Local Government of Imo State, Clan Chief Prof. Chemezie Kinsley (KSC), has spent fortune; money and time, acquiring the great and stupendous cultural heritage ‘Ofala Festival’ from its original owners in Anambra State, where his erudite and amiable wife, Chief Mrs. Nneka Kinsley (Odiukona mba), hails from, to his home town of Uzoagba in Ikeduru LGA of Imo State.
As a keen observer of the acquisition process of the expensive cultural event from the onset; the indomitable business magnet who is also internationally licensed Forensic expert, has religiously funded in full, every segment of the gigantic cultural transfer.
He has contributed profoundly in retrieving Uzoagba Clan from its waning track and shooting it up again to the very pinnacles of glory and fame.
Though, Ofala Festival, is an annual festival peculiar to Onitsha, it is also of high value in other communities including Ukpo, Nnobi, Aguleri, and Nnewi.
The origin of the Ofala festival can be traced back to the early 16th century when the Monarchical system of government was introduced in Onitsha. The festival, which means “Authority of the land” marks the end of the Obi’s (king) 7-days retreat and his ascension to the throne.
During the retreat, the king remains isolated and undergoes several rites and reformation which is believed to be for the promotion of the community. After the retreat, the Ofala festival begins and the king blesses his subjects, coronates a new council of chiefs/elders, and blesses the people.
Prominent scholars who have evaluated the element of the festival, described the event as a momentous and recurrent occasions in traditional life of a people. It is usually marked by merry-making, performance of music, traditional dance be classified into categories, masquerades display, high and low entertainment, ceremonials, rituals and other festivities.
Clan Chief Prof. Chemezie Kinsley (KSC), as man who cherishes rich cultural heritages and legacies, moved to secure Ofala festival for his people of Uzoagba and Ikeduru in general, in spite of his early and deep contact with education.
For Ebubemba Ikeduru and his wife, (Odiukona mba), the Ofala Festival seems the most significant and prestigious of all the ceremonies they perform, all year round and as well, put in so much to give the event a global and international recognition.
The Ofala festival serves as a rite of renewal for the atonement, investiture, and coronation among many other milestone achievements. It is believed that Ofala celebration is period or season of thanksgiving to God, the ancestors and all celestial beings who helped to secure the blessings of the year including bountiful harvests of the previous year.
It is also a time give back to the society, bless people and earnestly pray for better sales and harvest in the coming year.
This year’s Ofala Ebubumba festival coming up on Friday, December 30, 2022, will show more valuable cultural heritage and legacies including a lecture series by a prominent Igbo scholar.
