By Chuka Orjiakor (In Oguta)
The ancient cultural heritage of Oguta came alive on Thursday, September 17, 2026, as Damanze Obi Ossai, Aku-Chukwu Roro of Umuoga Kindred, Ngegwu Royal Village, also known as Ajie Obi Oga, celebrated the annual Omerife New Yam Festival in grand style.
The colourful ceremony, held on Eke Ukwu Day, attracted a large crowd comprising members of the Damanze institution, traditional personalities, family members, friends and well-wishers.
Damanze Obi Ossai occupies a prominent position in the traditional hierarchy of Ngegwu Royal Village, being recognised as the second-in-command in the hierarchy of traditional headship in the village, after the incumbent village head, Ogbuagu Damanze Ogbuzuru Wallington Okam, the Okpara of Ngegwu Royal Village.
The celebration featured the traditional slaughtering of goats and chickens, generous servings of food and drinks, as well as extensive social interaction among guests and members of the community.
The ceremony formed part of the continuing Omerife activities in Oguta, following the commencement of the community's New Yam Festival on September 7, 2026.
The principal Omerife observances ran until September 11, including the traditional Igbube Ekwensu ceremony, while other family, kindred and traditional ceremonies associated with the festival continue through September.
The September 17 celebration by Damanze Obi Ossai therefore represented another important phase of the extended Omerife season.
Prominent members of the Damanze institution were among those who attended the ceremony. They included Ogbuagu Damanze Ogbuzuru Wallington Okam, Damanze Anayo Iyasara of Umunkwokomoshi Village and Damanze Kenneth Ijomah Ajie Agundu of Umuenu Royal Village, among several others.
The presence of the traditional personalities added colour and significance to the event, which also provided an opportunity for members of different kindreds and families to interact and celebrate their shared cultural heritage.
Omerife, traditionally associated with the celebration of the new yam harvest, remains an important cultural institution among the people of Oguta. The festival provides an annual occasion for thanksgiving, communal fellowship, renewal of family ties and preservation of ancestral traditions.
The large turnout at Damanze Obi Ossai's ceremony was also seen as a demonstration of the continuing relevance of traditional institutions and cultural festivals in maintaining communal identity.
Photographs and video recordings from the event captured the colourful gathering of the Damanzes and other guests, as well as the traditional feast and merriment that characterised the celebration.
With other Omerife-related ceremonies expected to continue until the end of September, the Oguta cultural calendar remains in a period of heightened traditional activities as communities celebrate the new harvest and reaffirm their connection with their cultural heritage. NNL.
