The traditional ruler of Aguluzigbo in Anaocha Local Government Area, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Rufus Iloduba, Ugochinyelu, Eze Ohanyelu the second of Aguluzigbo, the Onowu Aguluzigbo, the royal cabinet, the President General, Chief Elochukwu Nwokedike, Ndi Nze na Ọzọ, and all the good people of Aguluzigbo Kingdom will celebrate the 2023 Ịwa Ji Eze festival tomorrow Friday, August, 25, 2023 at the King’s Palace, Etitinabo, Etuleze village, Aguluzigbo.
Aguluzigbo is one of the ten comunities in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra state. Made up of six villages who in the order of seniority are Iruowelle, Etuleze, Ihulu, Uffa, Ifite and Nduana, Aguluzigbo is bound by common ancestry to Utulu and Monene their progenitors who are of Aguinyi ancestral linage, an elderly paternal brother to Agulu town.
Aguluzigbo has common boundaries with Akwaeze, Obeledu, and Agulu in Anaocha Local Government Area; Igbo-Ukwu, Oraeri and Umuona in Aguata; and Nanka in Orumba North LGA.
Since the coronation of Ezeohanyelu the second three years ago, he has helped the indigent through his people oriented humanitarian projects. He funded many start ups owned by the poor and less privileged while tricycles have been gifted to the sons of the town to snatch them away from the jaws of unemployment. Igwe Iloduba also promised that he will work hard to preserve the culture and tradition of Ndi Aguluzigbo.
Therefore, this new yam festival is in keeping with the promise and is expected to promote the desired harmony, peace and development in Aguluzigbo.
In Aguluzigbo, before the Ịwa Ji Eze proper, there are certain activities that make up the Ifejioku rituals. First is the Mgbupu Ani. This comes up every January with the king’s prayers and supplication to God for a fertile land, save tilings and an
appeal to God to grant bountiful harvests to every onye Aguluzigbo in all their endeavours. The next is the Isi ji na ana Uturu. This ritual is performed by the Chief Priest of Aja Ani Aguluzigbo. After this, comes the Nsi ite. Nsị ite is performed by the Ezidike ward in Ifite village. It signals that the yams are getting ready to be eaten.
After the Nsi ite, Ikpo- ji n’Oye will follow. This ritual is performed by Etitinabo ward in Etulueze village. It indicates that the yam can now be uprooted and sold in the market, but cannot be eaten yet by the generality of the kingdom.
The climax is the Iwa Ji Eze. During this ceremony, the king prays at his palace with kolanuts and then cuts the roasted yam in the presence of all his subjects and invited guests.
After this, different groups in the community will then line up to pay their homage to the King starting from the Aguluzigbo Development Union executive, their branches and women wing, Nze na ozo society, and all the village heads. They will pay the homage with gifts as they deem fit to show their unwavering loyalty to the King. The king will, in return, pour out his blessings on them.
The village leaders will be given slightly cut raw yams by the King. The yams will, then, be taken to their villages. This signifies that they can now harvest, cook, and eat their yams. It is considered a disrespect to the revered culture and traditions of Aguluzigbo for anyone to eat the new yam without these rituals being fully performed.
Aguluzigbo, therefore, prays to God Almighty for a good weather and journey mercies for all their invited guests, friends and well wishers as they celebrate the 2023 Ịwa Ji Eze. They, specially, thank the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, Odenigbo Aguata for providing a strong security network in the State which has made the celebration possible.
They welcome the chief guest of honour Senator Dr Victor Umeh, Ikemba Aguluzigbo, the senator representing Anambra Central Zone in the National Assembly and the special guests: Chief Barrister JPC Anaetoh, (Ugodinaobi), Principal Secretary to Governor Soludo; Hon. Ejike Okechukwu (Ogbuefi N’Uko Efi), Member representing Anaocha II State Constituency, Chief Gerald Ozoh, the Transition Committee Chairman, Anaocha Local Government Area including all their patrons and stakeholder.
The celebration will come to an end with a thanksgiving mass at Queen Of All Hearts Catholic Church, Aguluzigbo on Sunday 27th August, 2023
Come one, come all
Written by SIR FESTUS OKONKWO
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