As part of activities to mark the Christmas and New Year celebration, the people of Amuzukwu Community in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, have celebrated their ‘Da Mgborie’ festival in a grand style.
The event which is being celebrated every three years, is done to stir excitement,as well as, entertain people during the yuletide season.
The people of Amuzukwu-Ibeku converged at their village square,on the 1st of January,2023, to witness the various displays of the well decorated masquerade.
In an interview with the Traditional Ruler of Amuzukwu- Ibeku Autonomous Community, Eze John Ibezim, who gave insight on the origin of the ‘Da Mgborie’ festival, said the festival began as far back as 1935.
According to him, some people of his community, travelled to Akwa Ibom state, saw the cultural display and brought it to Amuzukwu. He said the display was interesting, so they improved on it and made it as part of their culture.
He said the festival is celebrated triennially to mark the Christmas and New Year celebrations, during which, sons and daughters of Amuzukwu,both home and abroad come together to celebrate.
The monarch further stated that the festival is simply a replica of their father Christmas, adding that it does not have any fetish inclination,but strictly a mode of entertainment. He added that after the festival, the costumes used in decorating the masquerade is being dismantled and kept for the next festival.
Meanwhile, the traditional ruler harped on the need for the igbo culture to be sustained, adding that in Britain and other parts of the world,they promote and practice their cultures, while in Africa, they allow their cultures to go extinct, stressing that it is narrow mindedness for Africans to disregard and relegate their culture to the background.
He also used the medium to call on Abians and Nigerians in general to use the 2023 general elections to effect the desired change, by voting in leaders of conscience and not the ones that have the intention of embezzling public funds.
“Lets pray to God that this election will give us something tangible. That is where our hope is now, there is no amount of suffering we have not gone through.God should give us a good leader in Nigeria, someone that will come to rule and not to grab what is left”,he said.
Contributing the Traditional Prime Minister of Ibeku Ancient Kingdom, Royal High Chief Uche Akwukwuegbu, called for a concerted effort in protecting the Igbo culture, stating that he has made several moves in campaigning against igbo language going on extinction.
He described himself as a custodian of igbo culture, explaining that the ‘Da Mgborie’ festival is one of the festivals that is being celebrated in Amuzukwu community.
According to the Traditional Prime Minister, the essence of the festival is to bring people together, appreciating God for keeping him alive to witness the festival.
He further advised people to vote their conscience at the 2023 polls, disclosing that he is supporting all People’s Democratic Party candidates from State House of Assembly to Governorship,House of Representatives and Senate, but stated that as an Igbo man, he would vote his conscience in the presidential election.
