Ofala Festival
ofala festival annual ceremony practiced igbo people particularly indigene onitsha umueri umuoji neighboring community aguleri nnewi ukpo dunukofia local government area serf rite renewal king igwe obi similar igue festival benin ine osi ogbanigbe festival many midwest igbo community nigeria term ofala derived two igbo word ọfọ english authority ala english land festival celebrated within two day mostly october obi english king customary obligation must performed every couple year without fail according oral history source ofala festival traced back th century onitsha people emigrated benin eastern bank river niger presently known city onitsha brought among custom tradition monarchy festival akin igue festival celebrated annually oba benin historian also believe festival related new yam festival onitsha devotion king safety people festival mark end period retreat sometimes called inye ukwu na nlo obi remains incommunicado undergoes spiritual purification good community end weeklong retreat igwe emerges ofala bless subject say prayer community ofala celebrated annually place beginning coronation obi death latter called last ofala town may require celebrated every two three year ofala onitsha indigenous ofala festival held indigene onitsha nigeria usually held october highpoint onitsha ceremonial cycle although ofala festival common many igbo tribe onitsha ofala rather unique since believed first ofala igbo tribe festival usually start traditional twentyone gun salute followed night ufie royal gong drumming dancing cultural activity afternoon obi cabinet chief guest community age group woman youth community usually throng palace ground ime obi dressed traditional ceremonial attire befitting festival occasion royal music egwu ota played entrance ndichie red cap chief arrive gathering crowd bringing along friend family member procession palace highlight festival emergence obi royal regalia cheer crowd cannon shot announces entrance obi usually dressed ceremonial robe carry bronze sword hand walk side arena third arena acknowledging cheer gathering obi retires subsequently red cap chief pay homage according seniority thereafter obi chief reappear firing another cannon shot second appearance obi dance arena something rarely seen step cover distance first appearance visiting chief guest pay homage obi festival also sometimes occasion obi honour individual chieftaincy title music visual art always part festival edition onitsha held visual art exhibition called oreze iii event display various artist bust depicting departed onitsha king