The repeated calls for a cultural renaissance that will see to the preservation and protection of Igbo language, culture and traditions seem to be receiving the needed attention as communities in Anambra State are beginning to take critical steps towards reviving their unique cultural heritages.

 

One of such innovations is coming from the youths of Adagbe Avomimi village, Enugwu-Ukwu in Njikoka Local Government Area under their youth body, Avomimi Youth Council with the hosting of the first edition of their Youth Carnival.

Designed after the intent and memory of its “Iche Ebe ” heritage, the carnival aimed at restoring and sustaining the beauty and uniqueness of their culture while redirecting the young people to the values, norms and traditions of hard work, unity, love, togetherness and brotherliness.

Explaining the vision for the Youth Carnival, the Chairman, Avomimi Youth Council, Comrade Ifeanyi Olisakwe, said the carnival which coincides with the one-year anniversary of the current executive of the council is intended to connect the young people in the community back to their roots and provide them with a convivial atmosphere for interaction and networking among their members at home and in the diaspora.

For the Chairman of the Carnival Planning Committee, Comrade Chukwuebuka Obiekii, beyond the plan to revive their culture and traditions, they will also identify indigent youths of the village who wish to learn one trade, skill or the other so as to empower them by taking care of their apprenticeship costs and or seed capital while sponsoring the fees for those seeking to write their Senior School Certificate Examinations.

Reliving the memory of “Iche Ebe” festival for which Avomimi Enugwu-Ukwu people were known for and according to them the Avomimi Youth Carnival was modeled after, the Chairman, Umunnebeocha kindred of the village, Chief Augustine Okoye said the last “Iche Ebe” festival held in the community in the 1940s as such the design and redefining of the festival as a carnival by the youth brings nostalgic memories of a heritage they held dear, saying that the carnival is a harbinger of hope that their youths will preserve and protect the heritage of Ndi Avomimi Enugwu-Ukwu.

In his remark, the major sponsor of the Carnival, Mr Benjamin Umerah-Emoka who also received an award of recognition at the event and was represented by Mr Christian Mbachi called on the youths to maximize the opportunity of the carnival and youth empowerment programme to learn one skill or another to become self-reliant and contribute to the growth and development of the community.

 

Some other awardees including the Grand Patron of Avomimi Youth Council and Chairman of Adagbe Avomimi village, Enugwu-Ukwu, Engineer Ejike Onuorah, Chief Moses Ndibe, Messrs Alex Okafor, Onyeka Ofoedu, and Obinna Orakpu stated their willingness to partner Avomimi Youth Council to revive their culture and take their youths off the streets.

The Avomimi Youth Carnival which showcased the true spirit of the village captured in their moniker, “Avomimi Bu Enyi, Avo n’igu, Avo na nkwụ” featured many cultural displays, music, delicacies and “ipia agba” competition by masquerades from the three kindreds in the village, Ezidoka, Umunnebeocha, and Obinaetiti.

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