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The Culture of Ohafia People

Ohafia is located in the igbo speaking region of the southeastern Nigeria in Abia State, housing an estimated of 800,000 to 1 million people

It is a hometown made up of 26 villages namely; Elu, Ibina(Ihenta), NdeOkla, Nde Anyaorie, Amuma, Amaekpu, Ebem, Nde Amogu, Okagwe, Nde Uduma Ukwu, Oboro, Nde Nku, Nkwebi, Amuke, Asaga, Nde uduma Awoke, Amankwu, Ndi Ibe, Ndi Orieke, Okon-aku, Amangwu, Ufiele, Eziafor, Abia, Akanu, and Isigwu. It is home to the 3rd largest military base in Nigeria, named Goodluck Jonathan Barracks after the former president Goodluck Jonathan.

In the Ohafia setting, Elu Ohafia is the capital village of Ohafia people while Ebem is the secretariat of Ohafia Local Government Area, these are part of the biggest villages in Ohafia. Ohafians popularly refers to themselves as the warriors living by the past glory of their ancestors who were warriors who fought in the pre-colonial era.

Like most Igbo societies, we have our culture that distinguishes us from others.

OHAFIA WAR DANCE (IKPIRIKPE OGU/IRI AGHA)

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This is the most popular distinct culture that Ohafia is known for, one that attracts people to come visit Ohafia. The Ikpirikpe ogu was a dance step done by the warriors after returning triumphantly from any battle.
To showcase their victory, the heads of their enemies were brought home as souvenirs to showcase their strength and proof that they have the ability to save their village from attacks. In the pre-colonial era, accolades and titles were won through the number of human heads a warrior was able to come back with, the number of heads proved how successful they were.

The war dance is unlike any kind of dance you could see or dance. It is danced made only by men, the men who dance the Ikpirikpe Ogu requires good physical strength, because the dance is a show of masculinity, nobility and strength. It involves more of shacking the chest to excite their audience, in the olden days, men use it to impress a lady they were courting. The Ikpirikpe Ogu is also called “The Dance of the Spirit” because it is danced only by few people, only those who have mastered the act of communicating with the spirit, and only those who understands how to interpret each steps can associate with it.

Each dancer’s attire is a short piece of okara(okara) wrapped around their waists, an okpu ogu on their heads, a ram’s mane on their arms, their leader carrying the heads of their enemies on a platter, and their bodies designed with Nzu (Native powder) to make various spiritual insignias on their bodies and a leg beads for sound to accompany the dance, one of them carrying a cutlass.

Although, nobody goes to war anymore, the war dance is still very relevant and has become a treasured heritage and respect to our ancestors and the Ohafia people. When you see the dance being displayed, then a celebration is not far behind.

FOOD

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Oto (Water yam Porridge) is a popular local cuisine among Ohafia and its neighboring villages. The meal is prepared almost the same way as Ekpang Kwukwo which is peculiar to the Efik/Akwa Ibom. The dominant ingredient used in preparing this meal is wateryam, together with ice fish, palm oil, pepper, crayfish, salt, seasonings, and scent leaves. Some go ahead to add tomatoes, meat, prawns to make it more attractive and palatable.

Iri Ji (New Yam Festival)

The Iri ji festival is aimed at celebrating the arrival of new yams in the land. In the olden days, the new yam festival was a way to appease the gods and celebrate them for making the land fertile and their harvest bountiful. The event showcases the rich produce of the Ohafians, promoting unity and peace among the 26 villages.

Igba Uche (Traditional Retirement)

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Igba Uche or Igba ota omu is another rich culture that the ohafians have, one reason why Ohafia residents came home every Christmas celebration. It is a festival celebrated only amongst elderly ones between the ages of 50 to 70 years, in the companies of their families and friends. The celebration takes place rotationally every 3 years between the 26 villages. Igba ota omu in literal meaning is a means of retiring old people from community services.

The celebration takes place in 2 to 3 days depending on the village.
On the 1st day, the age grade members are excepted to process around the village dressed in beautiful traditional attires. The women dressed in George Wrappers and a uniform blouse of the same color, while the men puts on their long t-shirt, a trouser, tying their George wrappers around the trousers and along robe made from the George to tie across their t-shirts.
On the 2nd day, the age grade members unveil their completed project that has already been completed to the community, their contribution to the growth of the village. It ranges from boreholes, health centers, classrooms, electricity supply, etc.
Day 3, the final day is open to the main celebration, where the retirement celebrants will welcome their guests in their respective compounds, dance, and entertain them with music, foods, and drinks. The War dancers will make their appearance in a celebration like this.
For the villages that celebrates only 2 days, day 1 and 2 activities will take place in the 1st day while the celebration continues to the 2nd day.

In the olden days, age grade was a means to gather able bodied men to fight wars for the people, after the war ended and peace was restored, age grade is now used as a means to restore unity and encourage development in tbe different villages.

I hope you enjoyed reading about the culture of the ohafia people, I can't wait to tead your entries.