EZUMEZU IGBERE THE GREAT RETURNS
By Alexander NkwereIheke (Opiegbe)
Igbotomma is a cultural event of epic proportion in Igbere, Bende Local Government in Abia State, Nigeria.
Igbotomma and Age Grade system in the context of Ezumezu is the climax of Ezumezu Igbere. The oldest age grade formally retires and a new age grade is named for continuity as the outgoing Age Grade retires from active service to the community. It simply means that the retirees have paid their dues to the community and are no longer required to compulsorily participate in community obligations such as levies (taxes) or act of war etc. Of course members of the retiring age grade have to fulfill certain criteria to actually be allowed or qualified to participate in the great honor of Igbotomma. One must be an active member in good financial standing. These include things like payment of dues, project levy, anniversary levy, Cooperative Society Ltd
Dues as in the case of Udo Ebiri II Age Grade the honorees of the year 2023 Ezumezu Igbere. The mantra
MaduIche, Okpoghoiche comes to mind.
After retirement, any further action or participation in community mandatory activities is purely voluntary.
Ezumezu Igbere is an illustrious triennial homecoming event of Igbere people and friends of Igbere, celebrated from the third week of December to New Year’s Day. The 2-day event mainly takes place on December 26th and 27th. Interdenominational Church service on Christmas day December 25, is purely a prelude to Ezumezu which for now takes place at Igbere Secondary School field. Primary activities at Ezumezu includes, handing over of completed projects as previously promised by the retiring Age Grade. Other projects undertaken by various individuals and community organizations, national and international are acknowledged and received by the town as presented through Igbere Welfare Union IWU (the Governing Authority in Igbere) The other major activity is “Izara-afa (taking a name) by the youngest Age Grade such as Umu-Ebiri II, this year 2023. This succession ensures that there is always 13 Age Grades in the community at all time. The age grades are: Egwuatu Age grade, Eche-Eme Age Grade, Umunnabuike Age grade, AkajiEbiri Age grade, Oganairu-Ebiri Age grade, Omezi-Ebiri Age grade, Udo-Ebiri Age grade, Odinma-Ebiri Age grade, Obi-Ebiri ii, Ihe-Ebiri ii, Age grade, Ohabuike-Ebiri ii Age grade, Ugwu-Ebiri, Ochonma-Ebiri Age grade.
Highlight activity at Ezumezu is the issuance of Certificate to individual members of the retiring Age Grade. The town also recognizes and welcomes the accomplishments of various individuals and community organizations.
Igbere people are fiercely competitive in various aspects of life and as such, while some people use the Ezumezu period to exhibit their wealth of accomplishments in various forms such as showcasing their new country home or even marriage ceremonies and irindimirioku or grand opening of a country club, others use the same period to educate our people and visitors on guided tours for site seeing about the wonderful topography, landscapes and natural endowments of Igbere horizon. Taking tours of various landmarks and great sites such as IyiAmaukwu, Eke Igbere, MgbeleIbina, OzaraAmankau, Amuke, nkumimo etc. After receiving certificates of Age Grade Retirement as presented by the Igbere Clan Council of NdiEze (composed by the 13 Kings of Igbere Autonomous Communities), individuals have options for private celebrations or receptions in which friends and families congratulate and celebrate the retiree with gifts and tributes. It is fast becoming a cliché that what you will do for me when I am dead, do it now that I am still alive. If you plan to buy a cow and celebrate when I die, buy it now so that I can partake in the celebration of me. It is noteworthy to rejoin this article with the principles of Dr. Charles Apoki -Author of “The Reality Of Old Age” and “Money Is an Idiot” Testimony Of Living in Aba. For this writer, Opiegbe plans to celebrate his private reception at
OgbontaOzara (hunters circle with eight seating stones) under Pompom Ozara (drubbed the tree of life) as a call to shade light on the potentials of OzaraAmankalu Igbere.
It is commendable to note that Senator Orji UzorKalu making effort as Facilitator of the Project by Federal Government of Nigeria Building and Road Research Institute for the ongoing Construction of 2KM Road with Drainage and Asphalt from Umuobasi, Amankalu in Bande LGA to Abiriba via Okparanu which has been graded at various times. We pray that the road may be completed by the end of 2023 as part of the dividends of democracy to the rural communities in Abia North Senatorial Zone.
Preceding Opiegbe in the honor of Igbotomma are my late mother chief Mrs. MgboIheke, HRH Eze Charles O. Iheke, late Mrs. NdijeEme, Mrs. ErinmaUkeje nee Iheke, Chief John Iheke, Mrs. Ijeoma Hellen Obiegwu and now Alexander NkwereIheke will join the ranks “KaChinekemezieokwu”
Негізгі бет Ойын-сауық Intro to Ezumezu Igbere 2023 m2
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