Eze Emelike Vows to Revive Dormant Ossah Cultural Heritage …As Eziama Mgbaja Celebrates Iri Ji in Grand Style

The Traditional Ruler of Eziama Mgbaja Autonomous Community, Ossah Ibeku Ancient Kingdom, Eze Chiabuotu Emelike, has pledged to revive cultural practices and traditions of the Ossah people that have either gone extinct or become dormant.

Eze Emelike made the commitment while speaking at the 2026 Iri Ji (New Yam) Festival of Eziama Mgbaja Autonomous Community, held at the Eziama Mgbaja Civic Centre, otherwise known as the Eziama Mgbaja Autonomous Community Hall.

The monarch lamented that the Iri Ji Ossah Ibeku, which was once a peaceful, colourful and distinctive cultural celebration during the time of their forefathers, had gradually declined, with the festival either becoming inactive or barely celebrated in recent years.

He stressed the need to restore the cultural heritage, describing it as an important instrument for unity, peace and community development.

According to him, one of the unique attractions of the Ossah Ibeku Iri Ji celebration is the Uko traditional music, which has traditionally added colour and entertainment to the festival.

He disclosed that, unlike previous occasions when musicians were brought in from Ngwa Land to perform the Uko music, the community decided to promote local content this year by engaging indigenous talents who had mastered the traditional art.

Eze Emelike said the decision was reached by his cabinet and community leaders, who recognised the need to revive the cultural practice as a unifying tradition and an important part of the identity of the Ossah people.

He commended the 2026 Iri Ji Organising Committee for its efforts in putting together activities that made the festival colourful, memorable and unique.

The monarch also encouraged sons and daughters of the community to approach the palace with ideas capable of making future editions of the festival more attractive to indigenes, friends of the community, non-indigenes and tourists.

He further clarified that the Iri Ji celebration had no fetish connotation, noting that the New Yam Festival was a longstanding cultural tradition celebrated across Igboland.

Earlier in his address, the Chairman of the 2026 Iri Ji Organising Committee and former Deputy President-General of the community, Hon. Enyinnaya Agwu (Orobi), expressed appreciation to all those who attended the celebration.

Agwu described this year’s festival as a special occasion aimed at restoring the pride and cultural identity of the community.

He explained that the Iri Ji festival traditionally follows the annual Women’s August Meeting, providing another opportunity for sons and daughters of the community to reunite, reflect on their collective progress, chart a new course and promote socio-economic development.

According to him, the traditional ruler had formally opened the ceremony at his residence by performing the symbolic cutting of the yam in the company of the Council of Chiefs and Elders before proceeding to the Civic Centre with his family and invited guests.

He said the six villages that make up the community subsequently joined other indigenes and non-indigenes at the Civic Centre for the grand celebration.

Agwu assured that next year’s edition would be bigger and better, while praying for God’s continued protection and preservation of the lives of members of the community to witness future celebrations.

Also speaking, the Leader of Umuada Ossah Ibeku Federated, Mrs. Ngozi Augustine,(Nee Moses) expressed delight over the revival of the Iri Ji celebration.

Mrs. Augustine, commended Eze Emelike for taking the initiative to restore the festival and ensure that the important cultural tradition was celebrated once again.

On behalf of the Umuada, she presented the traditional ruler with a specially branded George wrapper, described as an “Outing Wrapper,” as a symbol of solidarity and support.

Responding, the President-General of the community, Chief Dandy Obiakalije, thanked the Umuada Ossah Ibeku Ancient Kingdom for identifying with their ancestral home.

He urged them to remain united and continue to support initiatives aimed at advancing the development of the community.

Among dignitaries who attended the festival were the Senior Special Assistant to the Abia State Governor on Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Mrs. Magdalene Ugoanusi, and the Traditional Ruler of Emede Ibeku in Umuahia North, His Royal Highness Eze Allen Ogbokiri, among others.

The festival featured a special display of Uko cultural music by Intoto and Group, as well as a colourful dance performance by young daughters of the community.

The presentation of the George wrapper by the Umuada Ossah Ibeku Federated was also one of the major highlights of the celebration.