Enugu Monarch, Nwoye harps on preservation of Igbo Culture, Tradition in S-East

By, Chinelo Kodilichukwu Enugu 

The Traditional ruler of Amurri ancient kingdom in Nkanu west Council area of Enugu state, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Charles Egbo Nwoye, has stressed on the need for the preservation and propagation of the Igbo culture and tradition in the south east region.

He stressed that posterity won’t forgive the custodians, if igbo culture and tradition is allowed to go into extinction.

Nwoye, posited that any race that does not promote its culture and tradition, which remains the people’s way of life, are doing a disservice to such claims.

The Nations News Nigeria reports that notable personalities as the incumbent Senator representing Enugu East senatorial district, Kelvin Chukwu, immediate past Enugu state Chairman of the ruling All progressives  Congress, APC Dr. Ben Nwoye, late Nollywood legend, John Okafor, fondly known as (Mr Ibu), amongst others hails from the Community which is comprising of four villages.

Speaking during the 2024 annual  popular Oriri Anu Amurri which is a combination of their new yam festival held at the Community’s market square yesterday, the monarch insisted that the history of a people will be incomplete without their culture and tradition record.

He therefore urged natural rulers in Igbo land to keep doing everything within their powers to ensure that the culture and traditions of their localities do not go into extinction in their respective domains in the name of civilization.

He said: “What we are doing here today, being Afor market day, is remarkable in the history of Amurri ancient kingdom. We are marking what has been in existence from time immemorial”

According to Igwe Nwoye, “it is only aeculogist that can test the soil and trees to ascertain how long this Community has been existing, and even at that, they can only use the word about, which may not be accurate”

“So, what we have gathered here today to celebrate is what we call Oriri Anu Amurri Esato obodo Esato. Oriri, simply means celebration, while Anu means the soil. We are celebrating the soil.

“During the farming season, we cultivate, we plant different seedlings and produce into the soil, and by the beginning of November, we will begin to harvest and make bumper harvest .

The Enugu state governor, Peter Mbah, who spoke through his Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Patrick  Ubru, applauded the Amurri people for their zeal and resilience  in farming  which he said,  is in line with his administration’s commitment in boosting food production and sufficiency.

He assured the people that his government would continue to provide farmers both rural and mechanized ones the conducive environment so as to enhance food sufficiency and make the state food basket in South East Nigeria,  restating his resolve in accordance with  Agriculture sectors the  topmost priority.

Also speaking at the colorful ceremony, the immediate past chairman of the All Progressive Congress in Enugu State, Ben Nwoye  stressed the need for religious groups to always imbibe the culture of tolerance.

The APC chieftain who is a Crown Prince in the Community noted that before the advent of the Europeans that led to the acceptance of Christianity in Africa, natives had their ancient ways of worshipping their gods.

Going down memory lane, he recalled that the natives accommodated various Christian denominations like Catholic Church, Methodist, among others.

The former Federal Commissioner further disclosed that apart from accommodating Christianity, the natives gave its denominations places where they built schools and churches.

Nwoye therefore appealed to Christians and Muslims  and other religions to also tolerate the traditional worshippers and not to disperse them.

” We call on the Christian religion to also be accommodative and not to go to any community and disperse them. The way of worship of Amuri people is the ancient way of worship and the God that created us still hears us” he stated.

Nwoye further noted that the Amuri community, like the Christian religion, has a pilgrimage center where people go and  pray for solutions to their needs including wealth.

He  explained that the cultural celebration is also used to seek for peace, adding that the priests of the land have already showered blessings on them.

Also speaking, the Chief Priest of Amuri, John Njoku stated that they use the  event to celebrate the new yam festival and appreciate the land of Amuri.

In an interview, Senator Chukwu, described this year’s festival as unique, saying it provided sons and daughters of Amurri kingdom the opportunity of coming together as always to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the locality 

He promised to attract his colleagues to attend that of 2025, adding that as a Senator, he would continue  to support his people ensuring that the festival is sustained.