It was a moment of jubilation and display of the rich cultural heritage of the people of Udezu Ayigo kingdom, Achalla, in Awka North Local Government Area, as they marked their 2023 new yam festival in grand style.
The event which took place at village square was well attended by Udezu sons and daughters, as well as relatives, friends and well-wishers from across the country and beyond.
The festival was kick-started with a march by various masquerades of the village to all the eight villages in Achalla community including Umudiani, Amukabia, Umuogbie, Odawa, Umunagu, Umuezede, Amadim, and Umuezu, after which the masquerades returned to Udezu village square to display various dance steps to entertain the villagers.
Speaking on the significance of the event, the host, Ezeani Ogbuefi Mmadubueze, Chairman Udezu Home and Abroad, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Atuanya, former President General of Achalla Improvement Union, Engineer Chinedu Ibeze, and Barrister Emmanuel Ekegbue said that the new yam festival apart from being important in Igbo land, occupies a special place in the history of Achalla community and Udezu Ayigo kingdom in particular, and promised to uphold the rich culture and tradition of their forefathers for the progress of the village.
For Chief Kennedy Aniebonam, Mr. Edwin Umeadi, Mrs. Ann Mbagu, and Chief Edwin Onwuemenam, the annual new yam festival of the kingdom avails sons and daughters of the village the opportunity to fraternize with one another, identify and empower the less privileged among them, and as well proffer solution to issues confronting the village and plan for greater Udezu Ayigo kingdom.
In separate interviews, the National President, Anambra State Association of Town Unions, Barrister Titus Akpudo, the immediate past Member Representing Awka North Constituency in the state House of Assembly, Honourable John Nwokoye, President General of Achalla Improvement Union, Mr. Nnamdi Ikwunne, and Achalla Woman President General, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwokedi commended people of Udezu Ayigo kingdom for upholding the culture and tradition of their forefathers and relentlessly making efforts to promote peace and development in the village and Achalla community in general.
Earlier while declaring the event opened, the Priest in-charge of Holy Family Catholic Church, Achalla, Reverend Father Felix Efobi who explained that new yam festival is not fetish but rather a means through which Ndi Igbo appreciate God for bountiful harvest after each farming season, encouraged people of Udezu Ayigo kingdom to maintain the tempo of peace and unity in the village.
The event featured prayer and cutting of the new yam by the eldest man in Achalla community, Ogbuefi Nwarienne Okoye, as well as ceremonial foundation laying of proposed Udezu Ayigo kingdom hall, various cultural displays, among others.
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