Customs and traditions are common in every community in African traditional society. Festivals are periodic commemoration marking important events in the life of people or a community. No year passes by without the different Nigerian ethnic groups Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa celebrating a historical event. The Ofala Festival is a good example of such event.
Ofala is an annual ceremony by the Igbo people. “IGBOS” are one of the three main ethnic groups in Nigeria, occupying the whole of the South-Eastern Nigeria states of Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo respectively.
Basically, Ofala celebration serves as a ritual renewal of the Igwe or Obi (King), usually the traditional monarch of the community. Although Ofala Festival is common to many Igbo tribes, Onitsha Ofala is relatively unique since it is believed to be the first Ofala in the Igbo tribe. The term ofala, is derived from two Igbo words “ọfọ” (An Igbo way of establishing authority) and “Ala” (land).
This festival, is seen as a form of entertainment and bonding for the people, Memorial ceremony for the commemoration of the date the traditional ruler of the area was installed, A period for monarchs to showcase their cultures, A period of thanksgiving to the Gods, It could also be seen as an opportunity for amassing wealth by the Nigerian government as a result of the large number of tourists and diaspora citizens that troop in each year to witness the events.
The Igbos of South-Eastern Nigeria has a rich cultural heritage. Every community has one form of cultural festival or the other to celebrate yearly or bi-annually such as the new yam festival, the Okorosha masquerade festival, Ownu-Ekpe, and the Ofala festival to mention but a few. It is a period that brings the Igbo-speaking community around the world together.
According to some oral history sources, the Ofala Festival can be traced back to the 16th Century when Onitsha people emigrated from Benin to the eastern banks of the River Niger currently known as the city of Onitsha and brought with them among other customs, the tradition of monarchy. The festival is similar to the Igue Festival celebrated annually by the Oba of Benin. Some historians also believe the festival is related to the New Yam Festival in Onitsha and devotion of the king to the safety of his people. The festival marks the end of a period of retreat sometimes called “Inye Ukwu na Nlo” when the Obi stay away from the people and undergoes spiritual purification for the good of the community. At the end of the week long retreat, the Igwe emerges during the Ofala to bless his subjects and say prayers for the community.
Ofala Festival is celebrated in most kingdoms in Anambra State as a commemorative ceremony for the remembrance of the date the traditional ruler of a community was installed. Indigenes of the various communities always look forward to their Ofala which takes place yearly, usually towards the end of the year. There are two types of Ofala in the history of every monarch in Anambra. One is the annual event that attracts friends and well wishers of the people of the community during which the traditional ruler takes stock of his activities within the year while the last Ofala takes place after the death of the monarch.
The Ofala celebration is the most important surviving traditional ceremony of the Igbo people. It is also an occasion where the indigenes of the community join together for dancing, singing, meeting old friends and making new ones. The local traders are usually not left out at these periods as they maximize the opportunity to market their products and make substantial sales. In the sense, Ofala festival is like modern promotional fares that mobilize members of the society to achieve a particular aim and cement their aspiration as well display their creative accomplishment.
Moreover, It is worthy to note that the Ofala celebration is in honour of the present Obi or Igwe (the traditional king), and after his death, a ‘last ofala’ festival will be held in his honour. Then, a first Ofala will begin again for the newly appointed king.
Amazing Facts about the Ofala celebration is as follows;
It is one of the oldest festivals known among the Igbos. It dates back to 700 years ago (16th Century) when the monarchy system of government was initiated in Onitsha land.
Onitsha Town in Anambra State holds one of the biggest, most elaborate and most famous Ofala festivals in Igbo land. Ofala Onitsha is the indigenous Ofala celebration held by indigenes of Onitsha, Nigeria. It is usually held in October and is the highpoint of the Onitsha ceremonial cycle. Although Ofala Festival is common to many Igbo tribes, Onitsha Ofala is more unique since it is believed to be the first Ofala in the Igbo tribe. Onitsha indigenes are a people, who treasure their heritage and value their culture very much in spite of their early contact with education. This is why they pay attention to the traditional ceremonies that abound. Evidence to the above assertion could be traced back to 2021 Ofala celebration by the Obi of Onitsha.
Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha in Agbogidi, celebrated the Ofala festival in line with the Covid19 rules. The Ofala, took place on 6th October, 2021 and it was rooted in deep spirituality. The festival was held last year without the usual display of royal dances, tributes, parades, music, and art, in addition to other associated events, which have come to characterize the beauty and elegance of the festival. Chinyelugo Osita Anionwu, the Obi’s chief of staff, said the monarch used the occasion of the Ofala to reiterate his prayer for the end of the turmoil, violence, and hardship that have befallen Nigeria and Igbo land in general. The low-key Ofala is in line with the proclamation by his majesty that the community would fulfill its annual traditional and ritual obligations in a humble way to comply fully with the COVID -19 safety and hygiene protocols.
The festival usually starts with a traditional twenty-one gun salute followed by an all night Ufie (royal gong) drumming, dancing and other cultural activities. In the afternoon, the Obi's cabinet of chiefs, guests from other communities, age groups, women and youth of the community usually throng the palace grounds or Ime Obi dressed in traditional or ceremonial attires befitting the festival occasion.
The royal music or Egwu Ota is played during the entrance of the Ndichie or red cap chiefs who arrive after the gathering of the crowd and bringing along a few of their friends, family members and their procession to the palace.
The highlight of the festival is the appearance of the Obi in his royal regalia to the cheer of the crowd, a cannon shot announces the entrance of the Obi who is usually dressed in ceremonial robe and carries a bronze sword on his hand, he walks to the sides of the arena acknowledging the cheers of the gathering.
The Obi then retires and subsequently, the red cap chiefs pays homage to him according to seniority, thereafter both the Obi and the chiefs reappear after the firing of another cannon shot. During the second appearance, the Obi dances in the arena, something that is rarely seen and his steps cover more distance than the first appearance. Then the visiting chiefs and guests pay homage to the Obi. The festival is also sometimes an occasion for the Obi to honor individuals with chieftaincy titles.
Conclusively, since culture is seen as a living thing, it is possible for it to die. A culture dies when it is no longer practiced. If the culture of a people dies, they technically cease to exist, because it is culture that gives them identity. To avoid cultural extinction (death of culture), Thousands of people gather across Igbo land every year to celebrate the ever colorful, delectable Ofala festival. The Ofala celebration, usually takes place at the end of the 13-month Igbo year, ushering the people into a new year according to the Igbo calendar. Today, Ofala has become a globally recognized tradition, drawing tourists and culture enthusiasts from all over the world.
The festival is marked to foster bonding among the Igbo people and their traditional rulers. The festival reaffirms the authority of a traditional ruler over his people. This is completely evident from the derivation of the word: “Ofo” which contextually translates to authority, and “Ala” which means land. In other words, when the relationship between a traditional ruler and his people suffers any form of strain, the Ofala becomes either less significant, or doesn’t hold at all. The implication, therefore, is that traditional rulers across Igbo land make conscious effort to sustain a healthy relationship with the people. Interestingly, Ofala festival also provides the opportunity for a traditional ruler to honor hardworking, patriotic Igbo sons and daughters. It is no longer news that Ndi Igbo engage so much in community service, so the Ofala features the conferment of chieftaincy titles, honoring the good ones and encouraging others to do well. The titles, however, are not just for people who had done well in community service; there is also room for people who have excelled in other aspects of human endeavor.
