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.
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