The Igbu-Ichi season

The Igbu-Ichi season in Ukehe has come and gone and I witnessed two out of the so many. It is a bi-seasonal event which occurs in the ordinary Ukehe year (afpho efphke) the season whey Ekewo is not around. Its the first time I witness the event and it happened at the Nwoba's. Chief A.A. Nwoba (Oba as he is popularly called) took his title on the10th of September at Ama-Uwalu, Nkporogwu, Ukehe and it was a display of some rich traditional heritage. He took the compulsory 8 names that distinguishes an Ozor titled man from the ordinary man and makes him not just a custodian of culture but of good leadership and citizenship. The eight names are divided into two four for the outside and for everyone and the other four inside his Obi. He took the names: (1) Oba vuvo (wealth -more in the sense of dignity of labour -is first) (2) Mmenwuko vuru (in some acts of niceness one inherits trouble from the recipient) (3) Nna-ekwugwo (Father did say this and that which are happening now) and Agude mba, agi Ukehe (when places are counted, they must count Ukehe). The remaining four was taken in the shelter of his living room with his onye ndu ichi. Oba's wife Lolo Joe Nwoba took the name O'dg g' ichere (it is not exactly as you think) it is traditional for the wife of the Ozor man to take an Ozor name too.

I also witnessed that of my Brother and his son Onyebo whose title taking was more of a carnival where the wife and mother also took the prestigious Echi-Ukwu title. Prof Pat and Engr. Onyebo his son took the title on Sunday the 3rd of October in a most Christianised manner, led by the ebullient Ofor Eleatunwagu Ozor Donatus Akwolu. The Father took the names: (1) Achinwude Ukehe (when Ukehe is governed or led well), (2) Ejinwume Nna (when a father is well taken care of by the children) (3) Agunwuma Ekwukwo (if scholarship is well done) (4) Obu d' Uru (a household that is profitable). The son took: (1) Ofo Nna eme (one who takes after his father or who takes the title with his father) (2) Ok' Ukehe (the call of Ukehe) (3) Me okwephe (if they will agree), (4) Oha g' le-anya? (are you equals?). The wife took the title: Ije d' uru (a profitable journey). The women are left with just one name and in the case of the son who is not married his paternal grandmother took the name for his wife (to be) and Ezinne Mrs Christiana Ngwu who incidentally is my sweet mum took the title - Ocho Udo - (peace seeker), she explained that she has always sought for peace, from her relationship with her husband to others in her life's journey, she said she looked out for what ever will bring peace and it is almost something of peace at all cost.

I also attended the events for the Seven Aroh Brothers who took the title at once. I must note that this title taking involves a huge financial commitment and for seven men to do it at one is a feat for the Guiness book. I am going to nominate them and hope they'll accept it. I also was there at Lai Okoloagu's and his beautiful name Ahunwa echete nna takes a place in my heart.

I will take time to enlighten people more onn this cultural engagement.

Annual Arts and Crafts Workshop

You're cordially invited to our Annual Arts and Crafts Workshop for Details view the e-flier attached

Ughu (Ozo) Title taking in Ukehe

Calling-out for the Eze-ekwef' ooh oooh oooooooohhhh!

Fr. Mike blessing all the Eze-ekwef's all decked in white remarkable this season is that most of them are professionals (bankers, academics, engineers, a high ranking customs office, etc) all the seven sons of the late Sir Festus Aroh took the title

Receiving holy communion, they were also prepared spiritually. I am hopeful that they will all take the final profession igbu Ichi

I had a first time opportunity to witness ughu activities in Ukehe it is the beginning of the processes leading to becoming a titled Ozo man in Ukehe, usually taking so many years to achieve and endowing the titled man with lots of respect. However, the church has taken to it and its shortened and a lot of things are not the same again, but its still quite a significant cultural heritage. Enjoy the pixes!!!

EarthDay @ Nsukka 2 keep it Clean and Safe

We joined millions in the Billion acts for the earth on Earth Day 22nd April from all the way Nsukka, the Chairman of Nsukka LG, Hon. Bar. Tony Ugwu was on the lead... his councillors and staff of the LGA. Alliance for Nsukka which Sculpted Baskets is initiating was solidly represented in the two-day event which started on the 21st of April with an in-house talk on Municipal Waste Management, Sanitation and Climate Change as it affects us at Nsukka and then on earth day proper, we had a road show, showing people how not to litter everywhere with wastes. And a talkshop with stakeholders on how to improve on leadership Pictures to view

Nsukka is Reeking! Lend a Hand in fixing it

Women at the Orange market that morning of 8th March International Women's Day
The rains on that day brought out all the dirt to the road

close-up of the debris littering the streets

Life must go on rubbish or no rubbish?

The Litter situation in Nsukka is getting out of hand. IEDT through its Sculpted Basket Project is asking all to lend a helping hand. We are inaugurating a committee on sanitation made up of a group of NGOs working in Nsukka to work together under the Name Alliance for Nsukka (A4), we will be meeting at No. 3 University Road, IEDT Network Resource Centre, Nsukka, Enugu State Nigeria. Any one who has the voluntee spirit can join (April is Voluntee Month) We are expectant of the best outcome.

Maybe then we can breathe in fresh air.

International Women's Day bits

Chiarman IEDT, Prof. Pat Ngwu during the workshop
Dr. Nnabueze and Mrs Nnabueze cheering the participants

Dr. Nnabueze (L)(Bishop Shanahan Hospital), Prof. Mrs Lizzy Ngwu at the event

One of the Participants asking a question

A cross section of guests @ the event

We celebrated the International Women's Day in Nsukka for Nsukka Women we had a handful of women surprisingly. Our theme was: "Nsukka Women and Climate Change: Looking into ourselvels rather than at ourselves". We had the women go through a slide of the UNDP COP15 document which Mrs. Julia Agwu gracioiusly gave to us. It was a thought provoking one and this will definitely spur more people into action.

Thus Far!

There are just toooo many issues bothering us here. Governanment vs the people, people vs people and then nature vs all of us. I admire nature a lot I took a picture I would like to share with visitors.

Welcome to a new year, a new Decade!!

We in Sculpted Basket are happily wishing you a happy and prosperous New Year:

May you have warm word on a cold evening a full moon on a dark night and the road downhill all the way to your door May you be poor in misfortune rich in blessings slow to make enemies, quick to make friends But rich or poor, quick or slow May you know nothing but happiness from this day forward.

- Irish Toast