By Mary Ugorji
It was a heart full of joy as the people of Izombe community in Oputa Local Government Area, Imo State, celebrated its 2024 Okorosha Carnival in grand style . The festival took place on Tuesday, August 27 at Ogbafor central market and was attended by prominent sons, daughters, friends and well-wishers of Izombe Community.
Speaking, HRM Eze Dr Uzoma Akopunwanne jp, Obi ll, Obeabo kingdom, Izombe clan, oguta LGA expressed satisfaction over the event marking the grand finale of the 2024 Okorosha Carnival pointing out that the event was scintillating and fascinating with all the flamboyance one could imagine even as he added that the occasion was a testament of return of peace and security in the clan as visitors can attest to that.
Eze Dr. Akopunwanne, who extolled His Excellency Dist. Sen. Hope Uzodimma, Onwa Oyoko, who did everything possible to restore, peace back in Izombe. The traditional rulers owe him a lot of gratitude and promise to continue to support his administration.
Eze Uzoma thanked the Almighty God for making this years Okorosha festival a huge success while thanking in a special way the executive of the Izombe Central union, particularly the PRO, Ikedi Justice Nwauwa, Ndi Ishi Owu, the cultural committee, the Cabinet Chiefs of the Autonomous Communities in Izombe, the notable personalities who generously donated funds for the august occasion, High Chief M. N. Nnanna and many others who guided the organizers to achieve a successful canival, a kudos to you all as we look forward to taking the Okorosha festival to national and international recognition in the future, he stated.
Speaking, one of the guests from neighbouring village Mgbele , Chief Dan Orji, disclosed that the Okorosha festival is more pronounced at Izombe, unlike what is obtainable at Mgbele.
According to onunekwuro oha 1 of Mgbele, Mgbele is not open in this way, “Okorosha is a wonderful ceremony, I do grace it every year that’s why I am very happy for peace, unity, it’s very important to be United it brings development our children come home and Celebrates Cultural festival feed their eyes emulate culture which is a way of life”. He advised Igbos to embrace their culture for peace and harmony.
Interview with some of the personalities include, Chief Inno Nwosu, High Chief Ogbuefi Goddy Nnanna, Lucky Okoro, High Chief Gregory Ihebie Nnayereugo, Hon.Nwaiwu, High Chief Ogbuefi, Hon. Marcos Nnanna, Hon. Chief Hassan Nwauwa, among others, sounded in one voice and overwhelmed for the successful occasion and return of peace, according to them. Okorosha is absolutely unique and non-aggressively entertaining. It is an unarguable fact that Izombe Land is the place where the practice of Okorosha festival is free and derived its true definition of African artistic meaning. It will also interest every tourist and cultural enthusiast to know and understand that Izombe people have so transformed its Okorosha cultural festival that there is no iota of fetish and or demonic practices synonymous with some African culture.
They further stated, that in the final outing carnival, one will witness different forms of African artistic formation. Each of them represents one Igbo historical fact or the other. For example, the beautiful and multi colored decorated ishioboli, the elegance represents the beauty of Igbo land , most especially the people of Izombe. The ancient Ndiuloukwu Douglas and centennial Amakpuredere Dim-Onyeka whose gracefully majestic steps are an indication that Izombe people are naturally inclined to high Life expectancy. what about the masculine Nwudo masquerade as it is busy roaming around with the all manner of playfully entertaining agility, tells you how industrious Izombe Men can be.
