Massive Turnout as Nsuba Village Revives Eke-Aji Cultural Festival
By Kelechi Ugo
Nsuba Ettam Okpuitumo in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State witnessed an impressive turnout as residents gathered to celebrate the Eke-Aji (Aji-Ereke) festival, marking a significant revival of the community’s traditional heritage.
Speaking during the event, the Onuwu of Okpuitumo Agaramugede Kingdom, Chief Ugo D.Nwenyi whose compound recorded the highest number of initiates, commended villagers for their collective effort in preserving and revitalizing the once-declining Ogbodoenyi cultural practice. He described the renewed enthusiasm as a testament to the community’s commitment to its roots.
The Chairman of Nsuba Village,Mr. While Ogwa expressed excitement over the remarkable increase in participation. According to him, over 90 new members were initiated into the Ogbodoenyi dance this year, while 13 individuals took on the revered role of mask bearers (Eda-Ogbodoenyi).
Mr. Ejike attributed the surge in participation to the prevailing peace and unity within the community, which he said has strengthened their connection with ancestral traditions. He further offered prayers for continued blessings upon Nsuba village, reaffirming the people’s dedication to sustaining their cultural identity.
Adding a religious perspective, noted that although Ogbodo has spiritual connotations, it remains an important aspect of the people’s heritage. He encouraged Christians to embrace elements of the culture that do not conflict with their faith.
In a remarkable highlight of the celebration, eyewitnesses reported that a nine-month-old baby symbolically participated in the Ogbodoenyi dance while being carried by the mother. The child’s father, who is a custodian of the Ogbodo mask (Eda-Ogbodo), was reportedly absent from this year’s festival.
The event underscores a growing cultural renaissance in Nsuba, as residents unite to preserve and celebrate their ancestral traditions for future generations.
