Ọmaba Umualor:The Biggest Cultural Festival in Isi-Uzo By: James Onyebuchi Nnaji

Ọmaba Umualor:The Biggest Cultural Festival in Isi-Uzo 

By James Onyebuchi Nnaji 

The only cultural element that easily brings Umualor and  her neighbours together every two years is the Ọmaba Festival.

Though some overzealous christians have done great damage to this festival,it seems to be witnessing a revival and a resurgence especially among the younger generations.

Ọmaba is central to UMUALOR traditional life as the annual calendar and other feasts are determined by Ọmaba and Ijogwu feast circles.

Year of Ọmaba,Ahọ Ọmaba,begins on the fourth moon,Orie Ajụ ijogwu, when Oriọkpa comes like a harbinger to announce the homecoming of Ọmaba from the three-sister villages.All types of sophisticated artifacts and designs come on display beginning with Umuezeogbu,then moving to Umuezuboke in the afternoon and ends at Aliyi in the evening.There is always increase in spectators,worshippers every year.

Nlata Ọmaba Festival is the biggest cultural festival in the entire Isiuzo Local Government Area today and one of the most celebrated in Enugu state. 

There's no other cultural fiesta in Isiuzo today that is wildly accepted and uncannily followed by the people up to the  present day than Ọmaba Umualor Festival.

Aside its religious importance in Umualor,it's also an untapped cultural tourism that could be harnessed for entertainment and tourism.

The 29th day of January 2024 is another round in the calendar and promises to stir the entire neighborhood for days.It is unfortunate and  sad that Igbo traditional festivals like the Ọmaba Umualor have been demonized so much instead of been cherished as a historical heritage that reflects people's mythic thought and traditional theology.

Masquerade display is a great social theatre that is practiced almost in every culture.

It's expected that the time has come when community leaders and cultural promoters drew the attention of government (State tourism agencies and Isiuzo Local Government council) to this mega event and utilise it to bring spotlights on Umualor and it's potentials for resilience and development challenges.

Celebration of inherited cultures solidifies peoples belief in whom they are and what they can accomplish.Come and witness artistic display in its pristine best and watch masquerades come forth from the sacred pantheon of Ọmaba drawing hysterical ecstatcy among jubilant crowd.