The dreaded masquerades came in droves to the Amaikpe community square, just in front of the Eze Kanu Oji Hall. But the deadliest of them all, according to natives, is the Ugwu Dike Asaga, famous or notorious for its magical powers, which could be manipulated to make banana trees grow on someone’s house roof. Ugwu Dike Asaga was last seen in public some 20 years ago.
There was another dreaded masquerade, the Ekete Nsi (Basket of Poison). And there were many others, as well as traditional dance groups that thrilled the mammoth crowd.
All these and many more were some of the eye-popping, jaw-dropping features witnessed during the 2018 edition of the Ikeji Aro festival of Arochukwu people in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State. Its theme was: Ikeji Aro 2018: Culture for Development, while the programme for the youth, which was also an important aspect of the ceremony, was tagged: Arochukwu Got Talent.
Arochukwu has 19 villages. It is the home of the late educationist, Alvan Ikokwu; the late popular politician, Sam Ikokwu; a former vice chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Prof. Chimere Ikokwu of blessed memory. Arochukwu is also the home of the famous lawyer, Nwakanmma Okoro, said to be the first Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) to have come from eastern Nigeria. It is equally the ancestral home of novelists like Anezi Okoro and Chukwuemeka Ike, popular human rights activist and author, Arthur Nwankwo, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, the pharmacist, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, among other prominent individuals.
As the dreaded Ugwu Dike Asaga masquerade moved laboriously in its black flowing robe, its guards smashed chicken eggs on it. As it moved like a blind man, it would slump like a heavy drunk in a stage of stupor. After several eggs had been smashed on it, the masquerade would spring up like a revitalised wrestler. People were told to steer clear as the guards appealed to Ugwu Dike Asaga to continue its sluggish movement to Amaikpe, the village square.
But if Ugwu Dike electrified the arena during its appearance, it could be safely stated that the coming of Ekete Nsi (Basket of Poison) literally set the entire place on fire. There was no dull moment throughout Ekete Nsi’s period of performance.
With their war-like outfits and rhythmic steps to the beating of traditional drums and other musical instruments; some of the members were armed with small axes, brand new sharp cutlasses and other weapons. The huge crowd, however, flowed along with Ekete Nsi and its group. They were a fearful sight to behold, although they never ‘poisoned’ or harmed anybody.
According to an illustrious son of Arochukwu, a retired broadcaster from the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, “The origin of Ikeji Festival in Arochukwu is as old as the history of the kingdom. The festival marks the end of the farming season, the arrival of harvest and the beginning of a new season.
“The Ikeji calendar is determined by the Arochukwu Traditional Council (Okpankpo Aro), under the leadership of His Majesty, Eze Aro. Celebrated in September every year, it is usually a 17-day event.”
Dr Orji said although he was present during the 2016 festival, he could not attend the 2017 edition. He, however, took a leave to make sure that he attended the 2018 edition, which enabled him to meet with friends, relatives, associates, in-laws and others he hadn’t seen for a long time. He added: “I have spent 10 days here in the village without feeling bored or tired because of the convivial atmosphere created by the Ikeji Aro festival. I never had it so nice.”
Daily Trust on Sunday further gathered that the Ikeji month is a special period when Arochukwu people are expected to observe strict adherence to norms, ethics, customs and tradition of the land.
“During the period, neither burials nor mourning gatherings are permitted. All forms of violence are not tolerated. Civil disobedience, public protests are strictly prohibited throughout the Arochukwu Kingdom. Death of any Aro within the period is largely viewed as a bad omen, and therefore, treated quietly with indignity. The period is devoted more to rectitude, thanksgiving, entertainment, charity, philanthropy and recreation,” Orji said.
The broadcaster further explained: “Ikeji presents a unique opportunity to celebrate the Arochukwu tradition and culture in its pure and original form. It is also a platform for infinite entertainment, tourism and reunion with cultural delegations from affiliate Aro settlements spread in over 350 communities in Igbo land and beyond. The festival features seminars and lectures on Aro cultures, visits and homage to historic cultural sites, pouring of libation, exchange of kola-nuts and goodwill, paying of homage to Aro traditional institutions, masquerades, traditional dances, diverse cultural displays and so much more.
“It is also a period to commune with the ancestors, reconciliation, peace building, conflict resolutions and self-help development projects. The period, therefore, witnesses the influx of visitors and tourists into Arochukwu. Sons and daughters from all parts of the world return home to be part of diverse cultural displays, merrymaking, exchange of visits, marriages etc.
“The Ikeji Festival is also a time for expansion of boundaries of business and friendship. It is another time to come close to nature, renew faith in Aro culture, connect with kith and kin and watch the original culture and tradition come alive.”
Showcasing the people’s culture, one of the old men in the community, accompanied by other elders, walked to the podium and poured libation as he prayed, using kolanuts. “Please see kola. When we are about going back to our various destinations after the event, may the blessing of God follow us, in the name of Jesus. We appreciate everybody for the peace in the land of Arochukwu. If there’s no peace in Arochukwu land, there will not be progress,” he prayed.
Also speaking during the event, the president-general of Nzuko Arochukwu Worldwide, Mazi George Uzumah said: “The evidence of peace in Arochukwu can be seen in our civic centre, roads and other developmental projects. We will still do more. We appreciate all our prominent sons and daughters who supported the progress in our land. We pray that the peace of God would be with those who invested their funds in our projects. May the pockets from where you brought out money to fund the projects continue to be filled with money. We are also happy with those who didn’t have the money to assist in funding our projects. We know they will support our projects when they have the resources. We pray that everybody will enjoy peace.”
But Uzumah did not spare those he regarded as ‘mischievous people,’ especially youths who burgled people’s homes and stole their belongings. He advised them to turn a new leaf and engage in things that would project Aro land in good light.
He said: “But we are also aware that there are mischievous individuals in our midst – those who don’t want peace; those who go about burgling people’s houses and stealing their belongings. We appeal that those who build houses should look for those who will guard them.
“Our youths, I am appealing to you to always do things in a peaceful manner. Two or three days ago, when we celebrated the Ekpe masquerade, we saw how youths held onto bottles of alcohol. We know that when somebody gets drunk and is armed with weapons, such person can cause a lot of destruction.
“Please, while performing the Ekpe cultural dance, don’t arm yourselves with weapons. We have told the police and other security operatives to disarm anybody who is armed while dancing the Ekpe. If such a person refuses to be disarmed, the police should arrest and detain him at the police station. When the festival is over, the person should be released.
“We are appealing to Ndi Eze (traditional rulers) to talk to the youth to realise that performing Ekpe is not about killing or injuring people. The Ekpe dance is about merriment, not using cutlass to kill people or inflict wounds on them. The youth should avoid causing problems in our land.
“In the entire Igbo culture, it is Aro people that began Ikeji. It was started in Arondizuogu in the 4th month of the year. Anybody who doubts what I’m saying should know that he or she is not an Igbo. It is so because the Igbo race began in Aro.
“In the 9th month of the year, Aro will close the festival with ikeji. In the entire Igboland, no one eats yam if Aro people have not eaten it. What we are doing here is cultural entertainment and merriment; it is not mischief making. Let no one bring his or her mischief to this year’s Ikeji festival. We are praying for peace, joy and the grace of God to touch all of us here.”
The chairman of the ceremony, Dr. Jombo Ofo, who was represented by Mazi Kanu Ivi, described the occasion as “a beautiful day,” and prayed for no rainfall or too much sunshine so that the event would be smooth.
“I know what the Ikeji festival means for Aro people. It is when they gather to thank God and our ancestors for the work God used them to do in the previous year. Ikeji is a ceremony to close the year in our culture. I wish all of you happy celebration and happy New Year in advance.
“I am appealing to Ndi Arochukwu to live up to the meaning of Ikeji, which is when our people show love and brotherhood to one another. The festival is a period for settling disputes in our land. It is a sacred period. It is a season for those who have wronged others to ask for forgiveness and true reconciliation to enable them start on a new slate in the New Year.
“I appeal to Ndi Aro, if there is anybody fighting with his brother, please let that person throw away the acrimony as we are celebrating the end of this 2018 Ikeji Festival and look forward to the New Year. Let everybody enter the New Year, 2019 in peace and unity. I pray for peace, love and unity of our people. We should all thank God that light has finally come to Aro; in no distant time, all the roads in Aro will be fixed,” he said.
For the senator representing Abia North on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, the occasion was an opportunity to tell Aro people not to lose hope in the face of the present hardship the majority of Nigerians are experiencing as the hard times would soon end. He advised them to avoid negative activities but to do things that would add to the glory of Arochukwu Kingdom.
Ohuabunwa said it took the Israelites 40 years in the wilderness before they were able to reach the Promised Land, emphasizing that Arochukwu people, and indeed, all Nigerians, would soon reach their Promised Land.
He described the festival as a period of home-coming for all the indigenes of Arochukwu within and outside the country. “We use the period to give account of our stewardship and review our activities,” he added.
“God blessed the people of Aro. God loves us. I use myself as an example. You all know that in Nigeria today, we have about 180 million people. We have 109 senatorial districts, which means that only 109 persons are representing the entire country in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. If you bring it down to Abia State, only three senators are representing the state. And if you come down to Abia North, we have six local governments representing this senatorial zone in the state. We have 557 wards and more than 327 communities, but God, in his infinite mercy, chose an Aro son to be the senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Everybody should understand that God has favoured us. It is not by our power, it is not by our might, it’s not because of our works, it’s not because of our knowledge, it is by His mercy that I’m standing here today as Nwa Aro (Aro indigene) to speak as the senator representing Abia North. So we give God all the glory,” he said.
Among the key features of the Ikeji Aro festival is the opportunity to bring sons and daughters of the community from far and near home. It is said that every indigene of Arochukwu Aro has an incredible attachment to his ancestral land. This explains the usual mass return by those in the Diaspora during the cultural fiesta.
According to an indigene of Arochukwu and a notable journalist, Mazi Chris Oji, “Unlike the New Yam festival in other Igbo communities, Ikeji Aro has a strict tradition that has remained intact and is passed from generation to generation. From the first day to the climax, which is called Ekekpe, there are usually cultural activities that would engage the people. Such cultural activities portray the uniqueness of the people.”
Daily Trust on Sunday was informed that the Ekekpe is the most crucial part of the entire Ikeji Arochukwu Festival. Mazi Oji further explained: “It is a day when the people gather at the community square known as Amaikpe to pay tribute to their ancestors and fallen heroes. Ekekpe symbolizes the true cultural heritage of Aro people. It is the grandeur of the Ikeji festival, with the people appearing in their colorful traditional attires and engaging in spectacular traditional dances and masquerades. Aro people and their visitors alike always look forward to Ekekpe with great expectation and excitement.”
It is imperative to note that certain innovations have been introduced to give the festival a global outlook in order to make it a truly international event. This is in view of the fact that the people, who are spread all over the world, have exported their culture and tradition to various parts of the world.
The chairman of the organising committee for 2018 Ikeji Aro, Dr. Azubuike Okoro, explained that given the significant role of the youth as agents of development, it was considered appropriate to provide them a platform to showcase their talents.
The 2018 Ikeji festival attracted big sponsors such as the Nigerian Breweries, MTN, Sobaz, and other organisations.
Daily Trust on Sunday gathered that for the first time after a very long time, all the 19 villages that make up Arochukwu participated in the event at the Ekekpe, which was the climax of the ceremony. This showed a renewed confidence in the festival.
The star prize of a trophy and N100,000 was won by the troupe from Asaga village, while Obinkita village took the second position with a trophy and N50,000. Amangwu village won the third price and left with a trophy and N25,000. Two villages – Amuvi and Ugbo – got consolation trophies for the 4th and 5th positions.
Going down memory lane, the chairman of the 2018 Ikeji Organizing Committee, Dr Azubuike Okoro said, “It started in the 912 AD in Arochukwu, the ancestral abode of the people worldwide. It is observed in over 350 Arochukwu communities, including those residing overseas. It culminates in the grand finale in the ancestral home, Arochukwu, Abia State, Nigeria. The Aro monarch releases the calendar following the indigenous lunar calendar that often coincides with the month of September, but at times it spills over to October.
“This year’s festival started on Wednesday, September 5 and ended on Thursday, September 27.’’
