Anambra: Umueri Community Marks Igbo Traditional New Year
The people ancient town of Umueri, Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra has marked the Ogugu-Aro festival which symbolises the commencement of the new year in traditional Igbo Society.
Umueri people are mythologically the direct descendants of Eri, the founder and progenitor of the communities surrounding the Omambala River Basin in Anambra Southeast Nigeria.
The which comes with revelations on the new years by the Priest of Aro-Mmonuma god is used to prayer for fertility of the soil and bountiful harvest as well as fruitfulness for married people.
Chief Uchenna Nnazoba, the Ajeh of Umueri and Priest of Aro-Mmonuma god said on Tuesday a traditional bequeathed to the Eri descendants for centuries and have helped them over the years.
Nnazoba said the festival which came at the end of every 10 months must be held before an Igbos would commence the farming year and begin planting of crops.
He said Africans should hold strong to their cultures as it was paganism.
“We must go back to our roots as a people, culture is not idol worship, we are marking the beginning of Igbo calendar year which had existed long ago. We also pray for fertility of the soul and womb for a fruitful new year,” he said.
Chief Pete Edochie, a Nollywood veteran and Igbo Culture Ambassador said God endowed every people with special culture which defines them as a people.
Edochie who whose mother is from Umueri recalled that in the COVID-19 pandemic which was ravaging the entire world was revealed on the 2019 edition of Ogugu-Aro Umueri.
He said it was a spiritual affair which should be taken serious and urged people to take more interest in it to put it on global map.
Edochie used the opportunity to sue for peaceful coexistence between Umueri and Aguleri which have had communal crisis.
On his part, Chief Godwin Obidike, Chairman of Odimma Umueri said they foundation would award scholarship to deserving indigent children of the town to enable them pursue their educational career.
Obidike said the Odimma Umueri would do all within its powers to foster peace and unity within the town and with its neighbors.
