ABUJA/Nigeria: Anioma women from Delta State have showcased the cultural heritage of the Anioma people at the first commemoration of World Indigenous Peoples Day in Nigeria, using the event to promote indigenous identity, women’s unity and the preservation of cultural traditions.
The delegation of the Anioma Women Forum Worldwide (AWFW) participated in the commemoration at the United Nations Auditorium in Abuja, where members appeared in Akwa-Ocha, the distinctive handcrafted indigenous attire associated with the Anioma people.
Their appearance provided a colourful representation of Delta State at the gathering, which brought together government representatives, women’s groups from different ethnic communities, development partners and other stakeholders to discuss the preservation and promotion of Nigeria’s diverse cultural heritage.
The AWFW delegation also joined the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, representatives of the Armed Forces Officers’ Wives and members of other ethnic women’s groups for a group photograph during the event.
Discussions at the programme centred on strengthening efforts to preserve Nigeria’s indigenous cultures and ensuring that traditional knowledge and practices are transmitted to younger generations.
Participants also considered the promotion of Nigerian fabrics, including advocacy for their adoption as school uniforms. Other areas of discussion included the preservation of folktales and indigenous languages and the potential use of artificial intelligence to document, preserve and promote Nigeria’s diverse cultural heritage.
President General of AWFW, Hajiya Ngozi Umunna-Ishola, said the forum would continue to promote Anioma culture while creating opportunities for women to contribute to the development of their communities.
According to her, Anioma women remained committed to preserving their heritage, amplifying women’s voices and building partnerships that would contribute to community and national development.
The Abuja gathering also highlighted the role of women-led organisations in promoting cultural identity and fostering collaboration across Nigeria’s ethnic communities.
For the AWFW delegation, the display of Akwa-Ocha and participation in the discussions offered an opportunity to place Anioma cultural heritage within the wider national conversation on indigenous identity and cultural preservation.
The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is observed annually on August 9 to raise awareness of the rights, cultures and contributions of indigenous peoples worldwide.
The Nigerian commemoration provided a platform for participating groups to celebrate the country’s cultural diversity while drawing attention to the need to preserve indigenous languages, fabrics, traditions and oral histories for future generations.
