Enugwu-Ukwu community in Njikoka council area has celebrated its
annual Ikpo Ji festival in accordance with the customs and traditions
of the town.
This ancient cultural festival, which has been in existence for over
nine centuries and the nineth under the present traditional ruler,
Igwe Ralph Ekpe was celebrated in a colorful way.
Entire Igbo land has
over time regarded Yam as the king of all crops, hence the reason it
is accorded the highest respect till date.
In view of the above, yam can be sold at its Nkwo market and consume
by the people and Ndi Igbo in general.
The host of this year’s Ikpo Ji, Ozo Nkpu Nebeolisa Anakor, who was
chosen by the Igwe according to tradition, performed all the rituals
and prayers to purify the yam.
He later paid homage to Igwe Ekpe, who joyfully received him and other
cabinet members, pronounced that the new yam has been purified and fit
for consumption.
Later in an interview, a cabinet chief, who is also the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Anambra Broadcasting Service, ABS, Chief Uche Nworah explained the significance of the festival saying that the festival calls for appreciation for bountiful harvest.
On his part, the cultural minister of the town, Ozo Nkpu Jude Ekwunife, under whose auspices the event was organized, noted that the Ikpo Ji is also an event to usher in their annual new yam festival
celebrated thirty days after the Ikpo Ji.
Others who spoke during the occasion, including the Education minister
of the town, Professor Onyii Oguno, the President General of the community, Comrade Bonny Ozo-Nkwuaku and Miss Amanda Okoye noted that such event has helped to promote and uphold the rich cultural heritage of Ndi Enugwu-Ukwu.
The event, held at Obu Umunri Enugwu-Ukwu, climaxed with the
presentation of a tuber of yam each to the representative of women
from each village as well as those that came from beyond Enugwu-ukwu.
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