The “Okpala-Ukwata” Chief Lucky Onyenike leading members of other age grades during their general dance at the ceremony
The Okpala-Ukwata of Etua Kingdom in Utagba-Uno clan, Ndokwa West Local Government Area, Ogbuiji (Chief) Lucky Onyenike has requested Government at all levels, and the indigenes of the kingdom to project their several cultural and traditional festivals to the global view and integration into the world tourism and cultural Guinness Book of record. Ogbuiji onyenike, who is the priest of the “Ukwala” diety, as well as the head of Out-Olile age grade, made the request in his welcome Address, on the occasion of the 2015 annual Ukwata festival, celebrated by the people The “Okpala-Ukwata” described the festival as one of the Nigerian symbols of tourism, which attracts large population from across the country, adding that it is celebrated every month of January to usher in the new farming season, wealth and healthy lives among the people Speaking further, he explained that the “Ukwata” diety was originated by their founding father late Obi Ezebaja in the 13th century when he received the Symbol from the Adofi River Godess.
Chief Onyenike stated that since its ongin, the celebration of the “Ukwata festival” has added socio-cultural values to the lives of the kingdom He pointed out that apart from the socio-cultural values, the Ukwata diety forms part of the administrative center in the kingdom through the various age grades and paid glowing tribute to the obi of Etua kingdom Obi Isaac Oji and the “Okapala’s” (Elders) council for approving the shifting of their ceremonial activities from night to broad day light.
For his part, the Obi of Etua who also is the priest of Adofi deity thanked “ Otu- Olile “ age grade for the successful hosting of the annual feast. Remarking that he was impressed with the large turn out of the people of the kingdom, Obi Isaac Oji who served as the spiritual father of the occasion, noted that celebration of traditional festivals or commemoration of their cultural heritage did not mean worshiping of idols. He said that the righteous, not Church goers will see god who created everything on the planet earth. The “ Adofi “ priest charged the people of the kingdom, even their generations unborn to ensure that their culture and traditional does not go onto extinction earlier the chairman of the occasion Chief Vincent Ojieh in his opening speech noted that Etua kingdom was endowed with rich cultural heritage as the people celebrate a festival in every months of the year. Chief Ojie further explained that the celebrations form parts of factors that have promoted the existing unity and love among the people and commended the individuals that made the annual celebration posible and successful.
There was a lot of fun fares as the display of “Atunkwa” Ade “ and “Obu” masquarades added colors to the ceremony, while invited guests were treated to highlife music by two indigeneous musical artists comrade Sunday Otor Dance band and Computer Onah music makers.The high point of the ceremony was the prayer for peace and progress of the kingdom and its people by the Obi and a general dance by members of the various age grades
