Anambra state is home to culture and tradition, Located in South Eastern Nigeria, Anambra state celebrate many top and most entertaining festival in Igboland and Nigeria at large ranging from the Ofala, The New Yam, The Igbo New Year, The Masquerade Festival and others.
Below Are 6 Most Attended, Most Entertaining And Most Popular Festivals Celebrated In Anambra .
Nwafor Ogidi
Nwafor Festival is a major annual cultural celebration in Ogidi,a community in Idemili North LGA of Anambra State. Nwafor Festival is celebrated after the cultivation of yam to mark the beginning of a resting period after cultivation. Nwafor takes a period of 11 days, starting from the first Friday (Afor) in the month of July and for the next 10 days. The Nwafor Ogidi Festival Is marked with Masquerade dance and displays with other activities that gives life to the festival.
Ofala Onitsha :
The Ofala festival is an age long tradition of the Onitsha kingdom. Ofala is celebrated once a year in October, to mark the climax of the New Yam. The Ofala provided an opportunity for the subjects of the Obi to catch a glimpse of him and pay homage to him. Four days before the festival, the Obi of goes into seclusion. He retreats to commune with his ancestors, and to thank them for protecting him and his subjects for the past one year as well as pray for peace and prosperity in the year to come. At the end of the retreat, the Obi emerges during the Ofala to bless his subjects and say prayers for the community. One of the highlights of the festival is the appearance of the Obi in his Ofala regalia. A cannon shot announces the entrance of the Obi, who is usually dressed in ceremonial robe and carries a bronze sword on his hand, acknowledging cheers of the gathering. The Obi then retires and subsequently, the red cap chiefs pays homage to him according to seniority, thereafter, both the Obi and the Chiefs reappear after the firing of another cannon shot. During the second appearance, the Obi dances in the arena after which the visiting chiefs and guests then pay homage to him.
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Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe has brought glory to the throne. Today ,the ofala is sponsored by one of the biggest telecommunication companies in Nigeria, Globacom.
Afiaolu Nnewi
Afiaolu (New yam festival) is a traditional festival held annually in Nnewi around August. The Afiaolu festival commences on “Eke” day with what is traditionally described as “IWAJI” and Ikpa Nku, this heralds the availability of new yam as well as thanksgiving to God. The festival includes a variety of entertainments including performance of ceremonial rites by the Igwe (king), cultural dance and masquerade dance and display.
Imo Awka Festival:
Imoka (Imo Awka) is one of the top cultural festivals in Anambra and Nigeria. The Imoka Festival is usually celebrated between May and June every year, in Awka, the capital city of Anambra State. Imoka is a festival that is highly regarded by Awka indigenes. The ‘Imoka’ festival is a period in Awka, usually within the 5th month of the year – first month in the Awka native lunar calendar – when indigenes celebrate a deity once believed to be the protector and preserver of all Awka indigenes and villages.
Uzoiyi Umuoji:
Uzoiyi Festival is an annual cultural festival of the Umuoji people. The festival is marked spectacularly with various cultural activities. The occasion is used to herald a new farming and planting season for all indigenes of the community as well as appease their ancestors for guiding them through the previous year and to ask for guidance and protection. Highlights of Uzoiyi Festivals is the masquerade display, Among the masquerades that features in the festivals include Anyinya of Umuazu, Ijele of Umuobia, Nkelekwu of Ireh, Egbenuoba of Anogu, Zebra of Dianokwu, Ogbuadiji of Ifite, Ocha of Ideoma, Nyakwulu of Aguma, Enyi of Abidi, Obamili of Umoli, Atu of Amoji, Ebubeagu of Agumaelum.
Ito Ogbo Obosi
Ito Ogbo Festival is a festival predominantly common amongst the Obosi people in Idemili North Local Government area at Anambra State. The festival aims at celebrating elders who are between 80 – 89 years old while they are alive.The festival holds every three years in the community, and it has been celebrating elderly people from the town who lives in the community or elsewhere.