By Onomiguren Agbamu
Culture, they say, is the way and life of the people, as the Onishe of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom, Chief Emma Ejiofor harped on the significant values attached to the new yam festival.
Giving a hint on the festival, during an interview Chief Emma Ejiofor explained that the new yam festival is a cultural and spiritual step to the Iwu festival, adding that its historical and spiritual significance paves way for the final cleansing of the land.
He maintained that the “Igba Iwu is the preparatory to the final cleansing, sayiy, “before my forefathers this community, there was a bond entered in the form of an agreement that he is the Onishe.
“But most people do not understand the meaning of Onishe, simply put, “Onishe means someone who looks after the land and has the authority, and the King has the power”.
Ejiofor continued; “that this practice was deeply rooted in the community’s spiritual heritage and reflects a longstanding bond with the land and the divine”.
He urged Ubulu-Uku Kingdom, and her people to return to the values that define their unity as a community.
According to him, “We should return come back to how we came, what makes us to be called Ubulu should be held in trust and embrace the peace, unity, and justice which is the hallmark of our Christendom, traditional law, and everything that is created towards our consciences”.
Adding separately in an interview, former commissioner of culture and tourism, Delta state, Engr. Lawrence Ejiofor, said the new yam festival is a symbol of peace and gratitude after a successful harvest for farmers, saying the tradition has been passed down through generations.”
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