Anioma cultural festival ends in grand style
By Francis Ugwoke, 03.27.2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010

Delta

The best of Anioma people of Delta State as exemplified in her culture was at display at the just concluded zonal competition of the 7th edition of Anioma Cultural festival.

http://odili.net/news/source/2010/mar/28/204.html

Like giant Christmas trees, the three centers, Kwale, Agbor and Ogwashi-Uku were lit up simultaneously last week signaling the beginning of this year’s Anioma festival of dance, culture and other performing arts.

In a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Organisation for the Advancement of Anioma Culture (OFAAC), Mr Godfrey Osakwe, said Anioma cultural festival has become a catalyst for cultural tourism in Delta State, serving as a rallying point for social contact and interaction of Anioma cultural values.

This year’s zonal witnessed various dance groups from the nine local government areas, of Delta North senatorial districts of Delta State, with different kind of Anioma dance arts in a friendly competition among participating groups for a qualification at the grand finale on Easter Monday in Asaba, Delta State.

As part of the ceremony, participants, dignitaries and performing groups at the zonal rally were gaily dressed in colourful costumes, with an air of joy and triumph, telling a story of what Anioma cultural festival had been. The ceremony is often seen as a dress rehearsal for the grand finale.

On display were Anioma dance arts at the three zones, from royal dance, maiden dance, traditional wrestling dance challenge to well choreographed dance group from primary and secondary school categories.

The event which was chaired by the Ezemu of Emu Kingdom, Obuenwe Johnson Ikpechiulu was attended by who is who in Anioma, including no fewer than 35 traditional rulers and other first class chiefs.

The royal father in his opening remark congratulated and thanked the Organisation for the Advancement of Anioma Culture (OFAAC) under the leadership of Mr. Kester Ifeadi, for introducing and sustaining the laudable idea for sustenance for peace and development in Anioma land.

The festival assumed a broader dimension at the last year’s event with the introduction of a traditional wrestling challenge and competition among traditional flutists- (Akpele). Over one hundred groups were in attendance at this year’s zonal contest out of which a total of fifty groups qualified for the grand finale on Easter Monday, April 5.

Among the 35 royal fathers that graced the occasion were HRH. Obi James Chidi II, Obi of Obompka, HRH. Obi Gold Ubosiaguna, Opkala Uku of Umute, HRH. Unokaiwedi Azike, Obi of Ubulu- Uku, HRH. Obi Ofuokwu III (JP), Obi of Obior, HRH. Obi Okolie Alfred (JP), Obi of Egbudu Akah Kingdom, HRH. Obi Chukwudi Ikade, Obi of Ukala, HRH. Obi Victor Chukwumalieze (JP), Obi of Onicha Ugbo, HRH Obi Godwin Onyenweuwa (JP), Obi of Ewulu, HRH. Obi Kikachukwu Henry Afamefuna (JP), Obi of Ubulu-Unor, HM (Prof.) Kanane Okonjo, the Queen of Ogwuashi Uku.

The best of Anioma people of Delta State as exemplified in her culture was at display at the just concluded zonal competition of the 7th edition of Anioma Cultural festival.

Like giant Christmas trees, the three centers, Kwale, Agbor and Ogwashi-Uku were lit up simultaneously last week signaling the beginning of this year’s Anioma festival of dance, culture and other performing arts.

In a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Organisation for the Advancement of Anioma Culture (OFAAC), Mr Godfrey Osakwe, said Anioma cultural festival has become a catalyst for cultural tourism in Delta State, serving as a rallying point for social contact and interaction of Anioma cultural values.

This year’s zonal witnessed various dance groups from the nine local government areas, of Delta North senatorial districts of Delta State, with different kind of Anioma dance arts in a friendly competition among participating groups for a qualification at the grand finale on Easter Monday in Asaba, Delta State.

As part of the ceremony, participants, dignitaries and performing groups at the zonal rally were gaily dressed in colourful costumes, with an air of joy and triumph, telling a story of what Anioma cultural festival had been. The ceremony is often seen as a dress rehearsal for the grand finale.

On display were Anioma dance arts at the three zones, from royal dance, maiden dance, traditional wrestling dance challenge to well choreographed dance group from primary and secondary school categories.

The event which was chaired by the Ezemu of Emu Kingdom, Obuenwe Johnson Ikpechiulu was attended by who is who in Anioma, including no fewer than 35 traditional rulers and other first class chiefs.

The royal father in his opening remark congratulated and thanked the Organisation for the Advancement of Anioma Culture (OFAAC) under the leadership of Mr. Kester Ifeadi, for introducing and sustaining the laudable idea for sustenance for peace and development in Anioma land.

The festival assumed a broader dimension at the last year’s event with the introduction of a traditional wrestling challenge and competition among traditional flutists- (Akpele). Over one hundred groups were in attendance at this year’s zonal contest out of which a total of fifty groups qualified for the grand finale on Easter Monday, April 5.

Among the 35 royal fathers that graced the occasion were HRH. Obi James Chidi II, Obi of Obompka, HRH. Obi Gold Ubosiaguna, Opkala Uku of Umute, HRH. Unokaiwedi Azike, Obi of Ubulu- Uku, HRH. Obi Ofuokwu III (JP), Obi of Obior, HRH. Obi Okolie Alfred (JP), Obi of Egbudu Akah Kingdom, HRH. Obi Chukwudi Ikade, Obi of Ukala, HRH. Obi Victor Chukwumalieze (JP), Obi of Onicha Ugbo, HRH Obi Godwin Onyenweuwa (JP), Obi of Ewulu, HRH. Obi Kikachukwu Henry Afamefuna (JP), Obi of Ubulu-Unor, HM (Prof.) Kanane Okonjo, the Queen of Ogwuashi Uku.

cool beanz Igbo kwenu!!