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[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he annual Ine Festival celebrated by the people of Asaba in Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State as a way of preserving the rich cultural heritage of the people from generation to generation.
High Chief (Ogbueshi) Nwanze Oduah who was fully kitted in his traditional war apparel and bearing spears had taken his seat in his colorfully decorated courtyards (Ogwa) awaiting them to pay him homage. With him were his equally kitted service chiefs. The wait was spiced by flutists who fell over themselves to keep boredom at bay amid sips of palm wine, assorted gins, beers, and other alcoholic beverages. In the mean time, individuals and interests groups came to pay special homage to the celebrant.
High Chief Nwanze Oduah is a quintessential leader and gentleman. He is the embodiment of cerebral articulation, the essence of unparalleled philanthropy, the epitome of intellectual and breathtaking simplicity, the personification of undiluted humanness, the perfect example of leadership symbolism, the paragon of idealism, the soul of humanity, the heart of warrior, the perfect gentleman. Indeed, High Chief Nwanze Oduah is a born leader and has leadership thrust upon him.
He was led by the warriors adorned mainly in red attires, armed with spears and their headgear adorned with eagle and parrot feathers. In an exclusive chat with the crew of Grassroots Publishers online during the ‘Ine- festival’, The High Chief Nwanze Oduah explains more on the significance of the festival while calling on the government to do more for Asaba people despite the seemingly infrastructural development that abound.
Hear him:
High Chief Sir, Can you give us a rundown of what you are doing today?
Today is Ine or Ekensu festival. This is a famous festival of the Capital City, Asaba. It is marked by a five day celebration of military-like parades and war dances in each of the five villages of Asaba. The festival is reminiscent of the old battles in which Asaba people distinguished themselves. It is a right of passage in Ahaba Ibokwe. Every year and in the last week of September, Asaba people go into the streets to celebrate the Ine festival. This year was not different as the youths filled the streets in a war charged atmosphere to celebrate the heroics of ancient Asaba.
It is a platform for the people, through their traditional warriors (Ogbus), to showcase their military might, demonstrate their capability to defend the community against external aggression, and to remember old battles for which Asaba people stood out. It is marked by a 5-day celebration of military-like parades and war dances by the Otu- Ihaza and the Ogbus, which has gradually taken the form of a cultural carnival, with various costumes gracing the occasion.
In Asaba ,the festival normally start about July every year with the ceremony called ‘Aja’. After the ‘Aja’ proceeds the ‘Iwa-ji’ and the culminates to the ‘Ine Festival’.
During the ‘Ine’ normally the five quarters of Asaba would visit the Odogwu of Asaba’ and now pay a courtesy call to the Asagba of Asaba.
For now we have some kind of issues which is not yet resolved and it boarders of the Odogwu of which my name has been forwarded to the palace as their chosen candidate. And we’re now waiting for the Asagba to come back for the final ceremony. All that is left now is the traditional chalking from the Asagba. After that the Odogwu can now assume his full office. The office of the Odogwu, from age long, is responsible for the territorial defense against invasion by the enemies or attacks. The Iyase is the field marshal while the Odogwu is the Army Commander of the Community in times of war. This is why we move round with our cutlasses, our spears, our war regalias with the active men.
I am proud to say that we know our root. The only Community that was not conquered throughout Anioma land by Benin Kingdom. Our Warriors (the Ogbu’s ) fought for our identity, resisting the Oba of Benin to install a king for us. Today marks the end of all traditional festivals in AHABA UJOM. It’s signifies that burial rights shall commence from tomorrow.
It is a period the Asaba people dedicate to thanking the Almighty God and their ancestral gods for their goodness to the people and their blessings on Asaba land. The Ine festival climaxes the yearly activities of Asaba people. “It is a time to celebrate unity and peaceful coexistence among the people.” It a festival meant to cap the traditional New Yam festivities of the people of Asaba that promotes peace among them.
It was colorfully eye-catching as the warriors (the Ogbu’s) were adorned in red, hand with a spear, women dressing in different colors, musicians entertaining the spectators. Another Carnival of its kind to remind us of our roots.
It appears you are being liked by virtually every youth. What is the reason behind this show of support.
I love my people and my people love me. While I was living United Kingdom, I assisted a lot of our youths. I kept most of our youths in my house in United Kingdom. I call it another home for homeless. Ahaba youths who found their way down to the United Kingdom, empowered them. I accommodated them for like six months; got them jobs and assisted them to regularize their papers and all that. I believe the love started from there. Infact during my stay in United Kingdom, I was the President of Asaba Development Union in the entire United Kingdom. I was elected the youngest President in 1993. I believe the love started from there. I’ve assisted most of them to travel abroad without any kind of assistance from their parents and that’s why you see so many of them calling me father, even though I am much younger than them.
That relationship has been there between myself and the youths. Around 2006 there was this high incidence of cult activities all over the Asaba town. I was on my way to London when our Royal Majesty Obi(Prof.) Chike Edozien called me and said to me, you cannot travel abroad while our beloved town is on fire, I then turned back and postponed my trip. I was able to bring the situation under control at the various sides. So, I quite appreciate their support no doubt. Sometimes they could be in problem and they will say, ‘please call me father ‘,Call me father. And I will come to their rescue. So, I have this strong relationship with my people because I love my people and they come first in whatever I do.
High Chief , what is your final message to the youths of Asaba?
Asaba people must remain peaceful and show love to each other because Ine represents peace. My word “ Ine festival promotes unity, peace and showcases a season of celebration for the people to pray for much better harvest during the current year.” We appreciate the governor for his support and the empowerment to our youths because presently, we do not have land for farming .We are appealing to the government, banks and parastatals to come to our aid. When government acquire our Lands , there should be a kind of huge compensation to the people as contained in the Law. Well, we‘ll kind of re-awaken the consciousness of our people.We cannot be compared with towns like Okpanam, Ugbolu and Ibusa Communities. Those people still have their lands for farming but we don’t have anymore. So we are we’re appealing to the government to please look into this and reserve some kind of space for the host community because an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. So, we are still appealing to Gov. Okowa to come to our aid. We can see a lot of infrastructural development so far in Asaba, but we are now like Oliver Twist. We still need more. I also use this opportunity inherent in the celebration to draw the attention of the state government to some serious development issues affecting Asaba. We’re peace loving Community and we will continue to support the government of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa. Thank you.
By : Grassroots Publishers