Ofala Festival
Ofala Festival is a yearly festival which is marked by the Igbo part of Nigeria. The festival always holds around October by the Obi (King). The festival is mainly celebrated by the indigenes of Onitsha and the environs.
Most of the Onitsha indigene today migrated from Benin around 16th century to the riverbank of the Niger. They brought along the Benin custom and tradition, the main reason why Ofala Festival is similar to the Igue Festival in Benin which is because it is also celebrated annually by the Oba of Benin.
The Festival is practised as a sign of respect and authority given to the King to lead the people in wisdom, knowledge and truth. It is also for the Obi to honour some people with chieftaincy titles.
The festival kick-off with a traditional twenty-one gun salute, which follows with all indigenes of the community dressed in their attire and marched to the palace of their Obi ( King ).
Dancing, drumming and other sorts of traditional entertainment is also displayed through the night.
The Obi's Chief will arrive with their red cap and they will be welcomed by Royal music at the entrance of the palace. The final stage of the festival is when the Obi will appear in his royal robe in the crowd with a bronze sword in his hand.
The Traditional ruler will greet the chiefs, cheer the crowd up with his rarely seen dance moves and lastly pray and decree more blessing to the people.
Writer: AdekunleMichealT
Editor(s): AdekunleMichealT & Awe Olufunso
Publisher: Awe Olufunso
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