Nsugbe Community in Anambra East Local Government Area was agog as they celebrated their most regarded cultural festival known as “Otite Nsugbe”.

Otite Nsugbe is a festival of celebration of thanksgiving and bountiful harvest at the end of farming season.

The traditional ruler of Nsugbe, Igwe Victor Ntoka,Nsugbe Council Of Elders, Ndi Ichie, and other revered title holders in the community during the festival, prays to their ancestors with goats and extends warm receptions to visitors, friends and well wishers.

The three quarters in the community: Ezi, Ikenga and Ivite Nsugbe in their various squares, display their cultural heritage, masquerades and dances to the admiration of their guests and others who join them for the celebration.

In this year’s Otite festival, Ndi Ezi Nsugbe Youth Assembly hosted carnivals and talent shows where the youths came out en masse to showcase their talents starting with beauty pageants, wrestling matches and other activities promoting the rich cultural heritage, tradition and customs of Nsugbe.

All of them in company of Nsugbe Youth President, Engr Chidi Obiudu and Chairman, Otite Nsugbe Carnival and Talent Show, Chief Onyedika Dibua went round the ten villages that make up the community, paying homage to the elders which including the traditional ruler, Igwe Ntoka, the oldest man in the community, Chief Chilozie Ezeadi and many others.

Speaking to the newsmen at Ilo Abito Nsugbe, the spokesperson of Nsugbe Council Of Elders, Chief Ifeanacho Akudo said Otite festival also known as “Alo Nmuo” also affords them the opportunity to pray for better farming season.

Chief Akudo also called on Nsugbe youths and other residents of the community to continue to propagate peace and harmony in the community.

A member of Ndi Ichie Nsugbe, known as Odu Nsugbe representing Ivite Nsugbe Quarter, Chief Nzekwesili Oseke-Ogua explained that Ndi Nsugbe holds Otite Nsugbe in high regard as it is highest celebration of the community listing other festivals that herald Otite to include: Ichu Oda, Okika Otite and others, saying it’s also a season of home coming to Ndi Nsugbe.

Representing Ndi Ikenga Nsugbe, Chief Amechi Ifezi maintained that with such celebration, the youths will know their roots and traditions thereby promoting Igbo culture, language and identity.

Lending his voice, another stakeholder in the town, Chief Sunday Jude-Muofunanya insisted that feeding their forefathers is not fetish but a way Ndi Nsugbe consult and interact with “Ndi Ichie” and encouraged parents to inculcate the values of their tradition in their wards and children so they can grow up being proud their cultures and traditions.

The women folk were not left out as the President General of the Women Wing of the community, Lady Ngozi Emencheta said that Otite Nsugbe bring them together to champion for peace and togetherness, praying God for strength and mercies to see yet another Otite Nsugbe in 2025.

Cutting of new yam, masquerading, displays by the youths as well as killing of goats formed the highlights of the celebration.

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