Royalty prepares for Anioma Cultural Festival

The royal fathers have gathered to ensure that the Easter season reverberates with celebration of the yearly Anioma Cultural Festival in Asaba, Delta State.

The revered Asagba of Asaba, Obi Prof Chike Edozien, takes pride of place, as this year marks the 15th anniversary of the festival of royalty, glamour, pomp and pageantry.

Arguably the finest cultural event in Delta State, Anioma Cultural Festival is the panoply of fashion, music, dance, traditional sports and creative arts of historical value to the Anioma people from the nine local government areas of Delta North Senatorial Zone.

Initiated 15 years ago by the Organisation for the Advancement of Anioma Culture (OFAAC), the culture umbrella body of the Anioma nation, the unity-inducing festival has helped to reawaken the people’s consciousness to their cultural values.

This year’s fest is anchored on the theme: “Building Bridges.”

Ever since its inception in 2003, OFAAC has remained faithful to the objective of preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of Anioma nation, with the festival serving as a melting-pot for the revival and appreciation of Anioma culture.

Well over 300 delegates and stakeholders representing the four dialectical groups in Anioma nation gathered recently at Orchid Hotels, Asaba Delta State, to put the plans for the festival together.

The president of OFAAC, Arc. Kester Ifeadi did not mince words in stating that the organisation is committed to the Anioma cause and as such, this year’s festival can only get better than previous ones.

Calling on all good-spirited sons and daughters of Anioma to come together in unity of purpose so the people can achieve the Anioma of their dream, Ifeadi maintained that culture and arts are essential elements of education.

Different dance troupes, traditional wrestlers and other performing artistes from Anioma communities have upped their ante for epic performances on Easter Monday, at the Anglican Girls Grammar School (AGGS), Asaba.

Anioma Cultural Festival showcases the award-winning Agwuba royal dance, Egwu-Ajah maiden dance, Uloko dance, Egwu Ohuhu, Olingba dance, Amala dance and multiform occupational and contemporary dances.

According to Paddy Ugboh, Executive Vice-President, OFAAC, “Our focus is to showcase the unique culture of the Anioma people and thus enrich Anioma, Delta State and Nigeria’s cultural life by promoting cultural diversity in order to foster harmony and friendship among people with different cultural backgrounds.”