Reviving Igbo culture in the Diaspora

By vci on January 13, 2017 • ( 0 )

Written by Nwanosike Onu – The Nation

igbo-pixxx Culture is the customs, ideas, values, character, practices, traditions and norms of a people, society or social group. It encompasses the visual art, music, dance forms, attire, cuisine, language, mythology, and festivals through which a distinct ethnic group is identified.

The Igbo, like other ethnic groups, are identified by some cultural traits that distinguish them from others.

Igbo culture or Omenala Ndigbo modifies the people’s thoughts, speech, actions, and behaviour.

One of the revered cultural practices of Ndigbo is the celebration of the new yam festival which has been passed on to generations. They also believe in onuru ube nwanne agbala oso (being their brothers’ keeper).

As a result, they congregate as village associations, town unions, or church associations or societies wherever they reside. This helps them to further propagate their culture. Wherever they reside, Ndigbo celebrate their culture, especially the Iriji (new yam festival).

For this reason, they celebrated the new yam festival in far away Netherlands, during which some notable Igbo sons were recognised and honoured.

The festival was performed by Eze Ndigbo in Lagos, His Royal Highness Dr. Christian Nwachukwu.

The festival was not for those who live in Netherlands alone. Other prominent Igbo traditional rulers travelled to be part of the great cultural festival. Among them was the traditional ruler of Ichida in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, Igwe Charles Ezeudogu (Obi II of Ichida).

Notable Igbo sons and daughters in attendance were the publisher of Orient Daily Newspapers and Magazines, Sir Godwin Ezeemo; the Director-General of Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Emeka Eze and High Chief Obiora Okonkwo who was represented by Chief Arinze Okonkwo.

They were given awards of excellence in recognition of their various contributions to the development of Igbo land.

Two of the award recipients, Mr. Eze and Sir Ezeemo, had contributed immensely to the development of Anambra State through philanthropy.

The ceremony also brought together some Igbo daughters in the Diaspora. They included the Minister in Nigeria’s Embassy, Mrs. Nini Okey Uche and the chairperson, Igbo Women Forum in the United Kingdom, Mrs. Megan Adaobi Clement, among others.