As part of events heralding the 2018 Igu Aro Ceremony of the Community, Enugwu-Ukwu held its annual Ipia Agba Carnival.

The Carnival featured various cultural and masquerade displays held at the Obu Umunri Palace, Enugwu-Ukwu in Njikoka Council Area.

The Traditional Ruler of Enugwu-Ukwu, Igwe Raph Ekpe and members of his cabinet graced the occasion.

Hundreds of Enugwu-Ukwu indigenes and non indigenes cut across age brackets, living within the Community and beyond thronged the venue to be entertained by Iga masquerades.

MASQUERADES PERFORMING AT THE 2018 IGU ARO CEREMONY

Kitted in their mask attire and their canes, called agba, they made their way into the arena and took turns to flog themselves.

At the Preliminary stage, fifty six masquerades partook, out of which twenty qualified for the second round and twelve made the third round.

The final round saw six masquerades emerge, after which three masquerades competed for the first position.

The Masquerade labeled seventy five took the first position and was given cash gift.

Speaking to the ABS, the Culture Minister of Enugwu-Ukwu, Chief Jude Ekwunife described the ceremony as a vital part of the Community’s heritage, and appreciated the progenitor of the festival, Senator I.G Abana for holding the forth since 2018, seeing to it that masquerade tradition is revived.

He pledged commitment on the part of elders and stakeholders in the Community to sustain their culture and tradition for posterity.

An Enugwu-Ukwu indigene, Mr. Michael Arinze who came in from Abuja and Mrs. Pat Onwudinjo who came all the say from the United States of America for the festival, called for measures to ensure sustainable of the carnival as its gains are enormous.

The Organizing Committee Chairman, Mr. Chukwudi Onwuasoanya emphasized that there is nothing fetish about that exercise which is mainly aimed at entertainment, adding that the festival has been in existence since the end of the War but is being revived.

Climax of the carnival was emergence of one of the masquerades was adjudged the best dancer and most entertaining, and was given special cash prize.

Consolation cash gifts were also given to other participating masquerades.