Mgbu Gbu Uzo Cultural Festival in My Community

Hello and welcome to my blog again, today am writing in response to #AboutMyCulture Challenge which is a cultural based challenge where steemians write about their culture, a challenge initiated by @aaronli through @sndbox. 

I must commend the foresight of the initiators of this challenge for this opportunity through which many steemians will learn not only more about their own culture but will also read and learn about other culture and cultural practices, this noble idea will certainly make steemians appreciate and respect other's culture.

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Egbu is a suburb situated less than a kilometer away from Owerri; the capital of Imo State Nigeria. The community is one of the oldest communities in the state and is known for their doggedness in sustaining the  Mgbu Gbu Uzo cultural festival.  

Mgbu Gbu Uzo festival is celebrated at the onset of harvest as an appreciation to God Almighty and gods of the land for sustaining and preserving the people of community although farming season when there is usually food shortage till harvest season. History has it that the event started after our forefather went through a severe famine which killed many members of neighboring communities but his children were spared. 

Three weeks before the actual day of the celebration, the town crier will go around all the nooks and crannies of the community and announce that the much respected  Mgbu Gbu Uzo cultural festival is approaching therefore no quarrel, fighting or misunderstanding of any type is expected or tolerated within the community until the festival is over.  

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Four days to the event, youths who must have gone through the rigorous training of masquerading will match from the village market to all the major entry points into the community and terminate at  the king’s palace, where they are welcomed and entertained before they disperse. The essence of the market match which starts by 1am is to show strength and fortification, women are not allowed to see or take part in any way at the Igo Ahia event.    

On the day of the event proper, the king flanked by able bodied and dignitaries will match from the king’s palace passing through the market square and terminate at the town hall where many other dignitaries are anxiously waiting for the arrival of the king which signifies the official opening of the ceremony.  

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Various age groups, villages with their chiefs and organization within the community usually prepare and present either a cultural dance or masquerade to the public at the final day of the  Mgbu Gbu Uzo festival, and also pay homage to the king on the event. 

Delicious meals made from corn and other farm produce are served to by the women to participants while various entertainment and cultural troupes are performing, men also provide enough wines and drinks of various types to visitors.

After entertainments, the king and his personal visitors will move back to his palace while members of the community moves back to their various homes to also attend to their friends and relative who came or returned home for the august event.  

I choose to write on Mgbu Gbu Uzo cultural festival because of its unique way of maintaining peace and harmony in the community and this made it so special that must members of the community travel from far and near to attend the event as many families use this occasion to reconcile their differences.

Thanks for reading.

Am your neighbor @dubem-eu