By Akuma
In its continuous effort towards fostering culture and tradition of Igbo race, the people of Isingwu and Ububa villages , Nkpor in Idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra State , recently converged to mark their annual festival code-named ‘Ntu festival’.
Ntu festival is a cultural festival usually celebrated by the Nkpor community and it is sequentially done by the ten villages that make up Nkpor Agu and Nkpor Uno communities in the order of seniority.
In their opening remarks the Chairman of the two villages, Mr Nzubechukwu Oraekwuotu and Chukwuemeka Chinedu (Ojeluigbo nkpor) welcomed all to the event and thanked them for honouring their invitation, adding that their presence made the celebration of their fathers’ heritage a reality.
They thanked their people for their maximum support and cooperation which, according to them, are serving as soothing balm towards the progress of their communities.
Shedding light on Ntu festival, Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Jideoffor said: ” ‘Ntu festival’ is one of the greatest festivals the people of Nkpor often celebrate. The cultural heritage is annually celebrated by the ten villages that make up Nkpor Agu and Nkpor Uno communities. So the villages take turn in order of seniority to mark the event.The festival is what our forefathers left for us, it is peculiar, rich and devoid of fetish practices, so we can’t let it go into extinction. It is our heritage and it is worthy celebrating and passing down from generations to generations,”he disclosed.
Hon. Ifeanyi encouraged the people to stand firmly to their father’s heritage, adding that it is the origin of their race.
He, therefore, prayed for a successful cultivation and progress for all that came even as he wished them journey mercies to their respective destinations.
On his part, the vice Chairman Nkpor Market Executives, Chief Mmadukaejiaka Okoye (Omekantinu nke du ndu) also explained that it is a time for cultivation.
“It is a tradition our forefathers practised, their fathers also practised it and we are practising it. The event is also a programme mapped out foster the culture of showing love to one another, “he said.
He appreciated everyone especially the organizers, the Presidents General, the chairman of the villages and all the members of the villages.
Omekantinu nke dundu used the medium to urge everyone particularly the youths to shun violence and seek peace for the betterment of the community.
Also speaking, Mr Chukwuebuka Igwilo (Okosisi Ideani) disclosed that the festival is what they normally observed once it is time to cultivate crops. He encouraged everyone to shun crime and go ahead with good behavior that Nkpor is known for. Okosisi Ideani appreciated the efforts of the village chairman and their executives and prayed God to give them more wisdom in piloting the affairs of the community.
Highlights of the event were cultural dance and masquerade display.
