RAYMOND OZOJI reports
Ojoto community in Idemili-South Local Government Area of Anambra State has abolished the tradition of sleeping with corpses and all manner of burial ceremonies that will compel bereaved families to borrow money to perform such burial rites.
The community also abolished presentation of cows and other expensive items at burial ceremonies to prevent such events from becoming a jamboree rather than a solemn occasion meant for sober reflection and self-introspection.
The foregoing were some of the pertinent issues addressed at the 2026 Ifejioku-Egwueke festival (New Yam Festival) of Ojoto Akanasato where the eight villages unanimously passed a decree at Oye market square Ojoto that all manner of funerals that would constitute huge financial burdens on bereaved families would no longer hold and that every burial ceremony in the community must end on or before 6pm.
Apart from the abolition of expensive funeral ceremonies in Ojoto community, the traditional ruler of Ojoto Akanasato, His Royal Highness Igwe Gerald Obunadike Mbamalu, said other events like traditional marriages and ozo title-taking have been streamlined and new processes have been initiated for them.
Igwe Mbamalu explained that the idea of Umuokpu women group coming to sleep over with bereaved families is gone and that both Umuada and Umuokpu women groups would be entertained only one day which according to him is the day of the burial ceremony proper.
He also disclosed that henceforth no live cow would be presented at burial ceremonies and that condolence requirements for attending burial ceremonies in Ojoto community, if need be, are one carton of beer, one crate of soft drinks and one piece of cloth, nothing more, adding that Ojoto community wants to prevent a situation where people would have to sell lands or borrow money just to do flamboyant burial ceremonies.
Eze Ojoto who stated that Ifejioku-Egwueke cultural festivals were the two major festivals in the community, noted that the significance of this year's edition was that the traditional institution streamlined some cultural practices in the community and new order initiated for them.
Igwe Mbamalu explained that the community is encouraging agriculture and rural development through the Ifejioku-Egwueke cultural festivals and that prize-money has been initiated for the farmer who will cultivate the biggest yam in next year's celebration.
President-General of Ojoto Akanasato Town Union, Barr. Ernest Obunadike, Ichie Ezieke Gburugburu, said Ifejioku-Egwueke have always been a unifying factor in the community because it is being organized by the eight villages in Ojoto, adding that it is an event to thank God for the bountiful harvests He blessed the community with.
The President-General said Ojoto community is known for hardwork, sincerity of purpose, honesty and above all, the community is reputed for farming especially yam farming which is why they are celebrating Ifejioku-Egwueke cultural festivals.
He said Ojoto is one of the towns that supports governments at all levels especially the Anambra State Government as they have keyed into state government programmes and projects for the betterment and overall development of Ojoto community and her people.
Meanwhile leader of the women wing of the Otu Odinani Na Umudibia Ojoto Udogadi Ajaegbo, a member of the Otu Nze Na Ozo Hon. Ikechukwuji Udo and the traditional prime minister of Ojoto Akanasato community High Chief Patrick Onwuaghara, in their separate remarks underscored the importance of Ifejioku-Egwueke cultural festival, noting that it is as old as the community and binds them together in love, peace and harmony.
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