The Grand Finale of Ojiji Izzi 2012 culture has been
variously described as the totality of people’s way of life such as type of
food, cloth or dress, talk, agricultural partum conduct etc. Some view culture
as a framework of behavioural patterns, values, assumptions and experiences
shared by a social group.
In Igboland and among the Igbo of Nigeria , the month
of August every year is always momention as it is associated with festivities
especially that of new yam festival. In Izzi clan of Ebonyi State, South East
of Nigeria, the month of August is a month which every Izzi man, woman, old and
young earnestly and fervently prays for. This is because the month of August is
gladdened with the celebration of new yam festival variously called Iriji
Ohuru, Iwa ji, Ikeji, oke aku etc but popularly called Ojiji Izzi or “Eri ji
ophu”.
It is pertinent to note that the species of people
called Izzi clan occupy three harge and thickly populated local government
areas of the present Ebonyi State and other neighbouring states like Cross
River and Benue States. The Ojiji Izzi is the most popular and widely
celebrated social cultural activity known to Izzi clan both at home and
Diaspora.
In Izzi land, as apparently in other areas of
Igboland, yam is considered the king of all crops and a divine gift from God.
This accounts for why an Izzi man treats yam with great measure of sanctity and
sacrosanct. In Izzi land, anybody or group of persons who desecrates the yam is
customarily required to appease the yam and placated the land so as not to
incur the wrath of the yam and God whose consequences are usually gravious and
catastrophic. This also accounts for the reason an average Izzi man dedicate a
special place in his compound for the establishment of a barn “Objai” for the
preservation and storage of yams. The Barn which is commonly known as Obaji is
usually positioned strategically to attract and arrest the interest and
admiration of both the owner and visitors alike. It is also for this singular reason
that a typical Izzi man erects a small hut inside the barn called “Eru Oba” or
obi where the man stays and keeps surveillance of his barn and the entire
compound. There is also a provision for a sit out in front of the barn with a
local shade or canopy called “mkpu” constructed with palm fronds, Indian bamboo
and sticks with tie-tie. The place is called “Okpoku” convergence point for the
family. It is also under that shade that a great farmer takes his title ranging
from Akwa lepfi and Jioke tille respectively. A great farmer in Izzi land who
has accomplished tremendous farm adventures and escapades would he leveraged to
take such tittles like Oko JiI, Onyibe Ji, Ojelegu I, Ovu Ji acho ali, Oko
ngele azulabo among others. The barn is also significant and symbolic are in
labour would rush to the barn for delivery and the child would he named Nwoba
or Obaji or Nwulegu as the case may be.
Essentially, this year’s new yam festival Ojiji Izzi
2012 which is an annual event is used to mark the end of a yam farming cycle
and the beginning of another farming season which is usually characterized by
thanksgiving, almsgiving, prayers, pouring of libation, compound cleaning,
visitation to In-laws and relatives, communal road construction, circumcision,
age grade initiation, peace and reconciliation, clearing of pathways to the
local streams/rivers and ultimately showcasing of the cosmological values of
Izzi clan.
The Ojiji Izzi festival presents and offers both
indigenes and strangers alike the ample opportunities of relishing and
savouring our local delicacies and relies like pounded yam “Nri ji” with
“Esusa” soup banished, Ukpo, dried Okro, Akpurata Oku.
Ji ahuhu roasted yam with local sauce Agbo of curry
family among other things.
As the Izzi clan rolls out her drums and all roads
lead to Anmegu the ancestral home of Izzi Nnodo Ekumenyi for the grand finale
of 2012 Ojiji on Tuesday Ophoke the 28th August, 2012, the
traditional prime minister of Izzi clan Ishiuke Ogbo Edege Nkwuda on behalf of
Ishiuke Anmegu, traditional rulers, national Assembly members, speaker, Ebonyi
State House of Assembly, honourable members of the house, state executive
council members, SSG, local government chairmen and development centre
coordinators, all elected and political appointees of Izzi extraction warmly
welcomes our inlaws, friends, well wishers and all lover of good things to the
grand ceremony of 2012 annual Ojiji festival with the theme. Our culture, our
heritage and our pride.
We wish you journey mercies, great re-union and fraternal
relationship with the peace loving, hospitable and good people of Izzi clan Unu
Tokwehuo! Dejeo!! Oshi aduo!