The 2024 Iwaji Eze of Aguluzigbo kingdom will hold tomorrow Friday at the Igwe’s Palace, Etitinabo Etuleze village, Aguluzigbo town, Aguluzigbo as a kingdom is one of the ten communities in Anaocha Local Government .Area with six villages including Iruowelle, Etuleze, Ihulu, Uffa, Ifite and Nduana villages with common ancestry from their progenitors UTULU AND MONENE, of Aguinyi ancestral lineage.
The town has common boundaries with, Akwaeze, Obeledu, Agulu in the same Anaocha Council Area , and Igbo Ukwu, Oraeri and Umuona in Aguata Council Area , as well as Nanka in Orumba North Council Area.
The Aguluzoigbo new yam festival is one of many cultural activities that is impacting deeply in the life of the people and promoting the desired harmony, peace and development in Aguluzigbo town. The Iwaji Eze festival in Aguluzigbo kingdom is always preceded by some rituals including Mgbupu Ani which comes up every January during which Igwe offers prayers and supplication to God for a fruitful farming season . This is followed by Isi ji na ana Uturu performed by Aja ani Aguluzigbo Chief Priest while Nsi ite ritual is performed by Ezidike ward in ifite village which signals that the yam tubers are getting ready for eating.
The Ikpo-ji na Oye market is performed by Etitinabo ward in Etulueze village, which indicates that the yam can now be harvested, sold in the market, but cannot be eaten yet by the people of the kingdom.
During the Iwa-ji Eze festival , the traditional ruler will perform the cutting of roasted yam in his palace after praying with colanuts in presence of his subjects and invited guests. The festival also witness paying of homage by various groups and individuals to the traditional ruler including the A.D.U executives ,the Nze na ozo society, all the village heads, ADU branches, the woman leader and members of her executive as well as ,every son of the soil. This is to renew their loyalty and solidarity with him while the traditional ruler will use the opportunity to bless his subjects. Slight cut on the yam tubers brought by the village leaders signifies that anyone from the town could henceforth harvest and eat yams.
It is seen as abuse of Cultural heritage and disrespect to the revered culture and traditions of Aguluzigbo for anyone to eat new yam without the conclusion of these final rituals in Aguluzigbo kingdom. On Saturday following the Iwa-ji Eze, the entire community celebrates the New Yam festival while on Sunday there will be a thanksgiving mass. The community wants to use this opportunity to thank Governor Chukwuma Soludo for providing strong security network in the State for socioeconomic activities to thrive.
The Senator representing Anambra Central senatorial District Chief Victor Umeh, will be the Chief Guest of Honor at the event while the Special guests include Chief JPC Anaeto, the Principal Secretary to Governor Soludo, Honourable Ejike Okechukwu, member representing Anaocha Two Constituency, Comrade Romanus Ibekwe Transition Committee Chairman, Anaocha Local Government Council, and Honourable Ngozi Asonibe. Counselor, Aguluzigbo ward
Come one, come all.
Written by SIR FESTUS OKONKWO
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