Igbo Tradition, Culture Aglow in Anambra Cultural Festival

Anambra State, with the recent state carnival organized at the two out of the three senatorial zones of the state, is repositioned to announce its readiness for the promotion of Igbo culture and tradition; as well as its moves towards exploring the tourism potentials of the state.

The cultural com­petition carnival designed to show­case the best of Anambra State cultural dances and indigenous masquerades is to become an annual event in the state just like the popular Calabar Carnival; but in the An­ambra Central and An­ambra South Senatorial festival renditions, partici­pants were encouraged to wear cultural attires that depict the tradition of Anambra State, unlike that of Calabar where al­ien customs are featured.

Coordinator of the Anambra at 25 events, Chief Emeka Okonkwo, who announced this at Anambra Central Sena­torial District Cultural Carnival held at St. Pe­ter’s Anglican Church field, Agulu, Anaocha Local Government and Anambra South senato­rial District zonal cultur­al carnival held at Nnewi High School, Nnewi in continuation of the An­ambra@25 Silver Jubilee Anniversary Celebration, said the event was unique.

He said tourism sites such as Agulu Lake, famed for its sacred croc­odile and turtles, Og­bunike Cave, located in Oyi Local Government Area and Ogba Water­falls in Owerre-Ezukala, would all play host to the zonal cultural fiesta.

The essence of holding the event at the sites was to bring people to these sites in order to enable them to appreciate the gifts of nature that God has blessed Anambra with.

Okonkwo said he want­ed to use the historic Silver Jubilee of Anambra State to showcase, not only the state’s rich cultural herit­age, but also natural en­dowments and unique tourisms potentials.

“Tourism all over the world is a big business. Many countries around the globe derive huge rev­enue from tourism, and Anambra, with its diverse tourism endowments, would rightly be on the front row of tourism sec­tor in Nigeria if the sec­tor was well developed.”

Governor Willie Obi­ano, was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Osita Chukwulo­belu, at the Anambra Central event while the Deputy Governor, Dr Nkem Okeke represent­ed Obiano at Anambra South senatorial zone. Obiano announced au­tomatic employment for all physically challenged graduates of higher in­stitutions in the state but bemoaned the current hardship facing the coun­try due to the economic downturn nationwide.

“It is clear that any physically challenged person who is a gradu­ate of a higher institution has paid enough dues to better his lot. Such per­son has passed through a lot of hardship and, therefore, should not be allowed to continue to suffer. His Excellency, Governor Willie Obi­ano, has announced au­tomatic employment for all physically challenged graduates”, he said.

Speaking on the sig­nificance of the cultural carnival, Governor Obi­ano stated that the state has rich cultural herit­age and said that the es­sence of the event was to display the rich cul­tural heritage of the state to the outside world.

Earlier in his speech, the state’s Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, Cul­ture and Tourism, Mrs Stella Onuorah, stated that Anambra State has in abundance, rich cul­ture and tourism sites, which the people of the state could showcase to the global community. She said ten communi­ties would slug it out at the grand finale in Awka on December 17th , 2016.

The event showcased variety of masquerades, traditional dance groups, wrestling, flutists and other performances from various communities.

Anambra South senato­rial carnival was chaired by HRH Igwe Peter Ezea­mama of Enugu Umuo­nyia Orumba South. Oraifite troupe came first at the Anambra South competition while Oraeri troupe, Nnewi and Enu­gu Umuonyia came 2nd, 3rd, and 4th respectively.

Traditional Rulers from various commu­nities accompanied by their cabinet members attended the ceremony.