By Ogbuefi Dr. CHUMA-ODILI HARRIS

Ogbunike has a lot of natural and man-made tourism potentials, which includes but are not limited to masquerade festivals, ancient Cave, traditional and cultural edifices and so on. These tourism potentials, especially masquerade festivals, could be marketed for tourism purposes and huge economic gains, if properly harnessed and sustained.

Communities/villages in Ogbunike are Ukalor, Osile, Azu, Umueri, Ifite, Amawa. Azu village is bounded by Ogidi in Idemili Local Government Area, and Oze-Nkwelle Ezunaka in Oyi Local Government Area Anambra State. There are two quarters in Azu Ogbunike, namely; Umuru and Ofezi. The community is made up of Eleven Families; Azuntu, Olimuo, Olisakwe, Mmefo, Nwaonwu Nezuorah, Nchezo, Atuona, Nwaolisa, Chiemesi, Umuka, Efigbo

Unarguably, Azu Ogbunike is the commercial nerve center of Oyi Local Government Area, Anambra State. The community host International markets including Bicycle Parts market, part of Building materials market, Plywood Dealers Market, Cosmetics and Provisions Market, part of Bakery materials market, the Ogbo Tomatoes market, and importers zone. Above all, the native Eke Market square has lasted for over a century.

Talk about hospitality industry, there are exquisite relaxation spots and standard hotels in Azu Ogbunike, namely; Paynes Ville Hotel and Suites, Hamburg Hotel, MacDons Hotel, ObodoEze Hotel, Miami Hotel, Benjamas Hotel, Diamond Suites, Star-Inn, Efficience Hotel, Legacy Hotel, Hub Lounge, Afsian Hotel, and other entertainment hotspots.

Azu Ogbunike can boost of government approved private schools, and public/missionary schools, private hospitals, and mini health-care clinics.

In Ogbunike, there are two major cultural festivals celebrated and hosted by Azu Village; ?Enweaka? festival, and ?Igu-aro? that is, Onwa-Isato festival.

The Onwa-isato is a masquerade festival celebrated annually to herald the beginning of farming season. The festival announces readiness to kickstart the planting season, when the elders tell the people to go and sow their seed after the next rainfall.

At Onwa-isato festival, the ?igu-aro? rituals are observed. It is the ritual proclamation of Igbo lunar calendar. The Igbo yearly counting celebration known as Igu Aro is usually marked in February as the new year. The appearance of the full moon in February, 2025 will mark the beginning of the Igbo lunar Calendar.

The Igbo Lunar calendar is based on the 13 lunar months of 28 days each plus one extra day known as ?a year and a day?. Each of these months is made up of seven Igbo weeks ?izu asaa?, each ?izu? is made up of four market days: Eke, Orie, Afo and Nkwo.

Onwa-isato celebration is a 3-day affair which occurs at the first Friday- Eke market day of February. Back in the day, Onwa-Isato festival usually starts first Saturday- Eke market day of February. But, the Saturday all night and early Sunday morning masquerade activities disrupted church services, as it were. The elders met and agreed to change the date to first Friday- Eke market day, in response to the overwhelming complaints emanating from the Christian community.

Remarkably, our forebears practiced religious tolerance; till date, the indigenes of Azu Ogbunike are predominantly Christians. The early Roman Catholic missionaries to Ogbunike, first settled in Azu Ogbunike.

Onwa-Isato is a festival that showcases an array of exotic night and day masquerades such as Ayaka, Ogbazuluobodo, Odegiligili, Agumuo, Udor, Ikalika, Ulaga, Ojionu, Nnunnu Ozala, Agu, Enyi, Agaba, Ajibusu, and the universally revered, King of all Masquerades-Ijele. The masquerades turn up in their best apparel to entertain members of the community, and visitors.

The festival starts with night masquerade parade in different parts of the community. It is worthy to note that mostly the men folk partake in the Onwa-isato activities. Women of all ages are exempted from participating. Be it young, or old women. Activities during the festival include the induction of young boys to the masquerade sect, after which they can fully participate in any masquerade related activities.

Onwa-Isato festival is an avenue to pour libations, break and share kolanuts and thank the ancestors and gods of the land, spirits of the river, heavenly beings for all the blessings they shower on the land, as the people are equally charged to uphold their culture.

While the Ogbazuluobodo masquerades are strutting about, entertaining all and sundry, the festival kickstarts properly with the night parade of the masquerade known as Ayaka ndeli. On the last day of the celebration, women folks and young ladies, are allowed to participate in the ceremony.

The last day is usually on Sunday. On this day, masquerade ceases to walk the streets at dusk, thus allowing everyone both young men and women to party hard on the streets. The festival ends with several drinking joints in the community hosting highlife musical bands, and cultural music dancers to the wow admiration of both the visitors and indigenes.

*The significant benefits of Onwa-Isato Cultural Festival*

Onwa-Isato festival is usually celebrated to ask the gods and almighty God for strenght, the vigor to embark on another farming season, and most importantly, to appreciate God for peace, and development in the community.

? It serves as an avenue to bring the sons and daughters of Azu Ogbunike together, for socialization purposes

? It is also a sort of re-union and familiarization process for relatives

? The Village Union government also use such opportunities to seek certain favours from sons and daughters of Azu Ogbunike for different projects that would benefit the community

? It is a great opportunity for mingling and finding soulmates and future spouses among people of marriageable age

? It is characterized by lots of fanfare and masquerades display for entertainment purposes

? It is good for tourism purposes

? Boosts economic activities, especially for small and medium scale enterprises

Onwa-isato festival is an all-encompassing cultural affair that promotes peace, harmony, economic growth and all round development to the community. It avails the community, a chance to do a check on certain developmental projects, what needs to be done to improve the lives of its indigenes and equally serves as an avenue, to encourage its sons and daughters to do more for the community.

Ekenem

?Ogbuefi Dr. Chuma-Odili Harris Udokamma, FCMsp, FIPEsa (Ogene Ogbunike) is Convener, Ebube Ogbunike Culture and Tradition Conference and Convener, Team Make Ogbunike Great (TMOG). He can be reached via igbocouncil@gmail.com

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