The long-awaited book, “Omenana Na Odinana Nri: A Compendium of Nri Cultures, Customs and Traditions” has been launched at an event in Nri, Anaocha Local Government Area of the State.
The book authored by two indigenes of the community, Chief Chukwudi Nwokoye and Reverend Canon Charles Chukwurah, for the first time, explored only the unique cultures, customs and traditions of Nri considered as the citadel of Igbo culture, tradition and world view.
Correspondent, David Okpokwasili reports that the nine chaptered book, unlike previous accounts that focused basically on the historiology of Ndigbo from the Nri point of view, focused extensively on practices such as “Igbu ichi”, “Iru ekpe”, “Ichi Ekwe Umunwanyi”, “ịlọ mmụọ”, “ịkpụ alụ” and many others.
Providing a chapter-by-chapter highlights of the book, the book reviewer and expert in African Culture, Professor Cliff Nwanna, described the book as an “insider account” and called on Ndịgbo to take ownership, establish means, structures and support systems to promote, document, and preserve cultures, traditions and customs of Igbo people.
Speaking to the ABS, the authors, a lawyer and former US marine, Chief Nwokoye, and former Nigerian soldier, Reverend Canon Chukwurah said they hope the book will redirect the minds of young Ndị Igbo to understand their culture from an insider and right perspective; without being deceived into seeing their culture as evil, a trend he noted was caused by the narratives of outsiders who never understood these cultures and traditions of Ndigbo, especially the Nri.
They said the book will also serve as a reference point in understanding the socioeconomic and political life of Ndi Nri and their relationships with other Igbo people.
Earlier in an opening remark, the Chairman on the occasion, Chief Polycarp Nwokoye expressed happiness that every Nri and Igbo person can now reference the book for several questions that have remained unanswered about the Nri and Igbo cultures and traditions.
Unveiling of the book formed the highpoint of the event.
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