The Ikeji Arondizuogu festival
Ikeji Arondizuogu is a yearly festival that brings together, the sons and daughters of Arondizuogu, an Igbo-speaking community in Imo State. The festival, which is dated back to five centuries ago, is celebrated to mark the harvest of the first yam of the farming season. It is said to be the biggest pan-Igbo cultural festival with international recognition. The event, which is often witnessed by thousands of people, is upgraded on a yearly basis - the display, dance and grandeur are usually done in a more sophisticated way.
During the festival, there is always a colourful display of masquerades who dance across the market square to the delight of the public. The rhythm of traditional music from drums and flute is used to entertain the public who also dance to the tunes. The flutist communicates with the masquerades. This festival enhances unity among the people of Arondizuogu and other Igbo-speaking communities at home and abroad. The four-day festival corresponds to the four Igbo traditional weekdays - Eke, Oye, Afo and Nkwo, all of which have a special significance, representing different aspects of the festival. During these four days, there is propitiation, thanksgiving and feasting.
On the last day of the festival, a ram is tied with a single thread to a tree at the market square and the brave and strong is expected to untie it. He finds the task very difficult to accomplish as other equally strong men do everything possible to stop him. The contest continues until the bravest unties the ram. This feat is often followed by dining and wining by the winner’s kinsmen. It is believed that the action of the winner has elevated the community, thus earning him recognition in other villages and towns.