Victor EzejaIN keeping with COVID-19 safety and hygiene protocols, the Obi of Onitsha, His Majesty, Nnaemeka Achebe, has decided to mark this year’s Ofala festival in low-key.
Ofala is an annual festival of Onitsha people tradionally hosted inside the large Obi’s palace to mark the end of a planting season and celebrate bountiful harvest.
According to a statement signed by the Chief of Staff to the Obi of Onitsha, Chinyelugo Osita Anionwu, the 2021 festival which took place on Wednesday, October 6, is the highpoint of Onitsha Ceremonial Cycle.
The statement reads, “It was held this year without the usual display of royal dances, tributes, parades, music, and art, in addition to other associated events, which have come to characterise the beauty and elegance of the festival.
“Rooted in deep spirituality, the Ofala is primarily a celebration by the monarch and his subjects to mark the monarch’s annual emergence from seclusion, during which period he has successfully negotiated the fortunes of the kingdom. His Majesty also used the occasion of the Ofala to reiterate his prayer for the end of the turmoil, violence, and hardship that have befallen the country in general.”
“This year’s low-key Ofala is in line with the proclamation by His Majesty that the community would fulfill its annual traditional and ritual obligations in a modest way to comply fully with the Covid -19 safety and hygiene protocols.”
“There was no Azu Ofala celebration, the second day of the festival which is an elaborate display by Onitsha indigenes made up of age grade societies in their very colourful uniforms. The Owuwa-Ji (New Yam) Festival, which commenced on Friday, 24 September 2021 and will end on Thursday, 21 October with Ikelebe-ji (the new yam celebration by the monarch) is also being observed very modestly.”
Achebe said, he was hopeful that cirmscumstances in the environment would make things return back to normal.
“It is the hope and prayer of His Majesty and the people of Onitsha that the challenges of the previous years will come to pass, and circumstances will enable these festivals to return to normal next year, which will be his 20th anniversary on the throne of his ancestors.”
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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