From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri
The Blazing Youngsters and Achievers Network (BYAN), a socio-cultural group, has urged youths to uphold the tradition and culture of Ndigbo.
The group’s President, Mrs Adanna Abatan, led the advocacy during a working visit to the Village Head of Owerre Nshi Ise, Chief Dennis Njemanze, in Owerri at the weekend.
She described BYAN as a socio-cultural organisation tasked with the responsibility of promoting African culture.
Abatan, represented by a senior member of the group, Prince Chima Okoroagbara, said the group was delving into the history of the five villages of Owerri, the Imo State capital, popularly known as Owerre Nshi Ise.
She explained that with modern-day developments, it is easy for the younger generation to drift away from their roots, hence the group’s historical inquiry, which she noted would later be published as a documentary.
Abatan highlighted key cultural aspects of the Owerre Nshi Ise villages, including the Mbari (a dwelling place of deities in Owerri and beyond), Ofe Owerri (ancestral soup of the Owerri people), and the Eke market day, during which marriage and burial ceremonies are prohibited.
Other significant cultural traditions include the Oru Owerri, the only cultural festival of the Owerri people; the Alija, a cultural waist dance; and the white top and George wrapper material traditionally worn for cultural festivals.
She expressed gratitude to the people of Owerre Nshi Ise for their hospitality, which enabled the group to carry out its inquiry successfully.
In his response, Chief Njemanze commended the group for its efforts in preserving cultural heritage and urged all Igbo people to adopt similar measures.
“If there is no history, there is no future. Since we have a very rich culture and history, we must embrace and preserve our rich traditions across all our communities for the sake of generations yet unborn,” he said.