…observes Nimo eighth month ceremony in grand style
Izuchukwu, the curator of Izuchukwu Centre has decried the destruction of ancient landmarks in Igbo land while affirming that ‘our tradition is our identity.’
Izuchukwu spoke to the press, Tuesday, Oye Market day as he observed the annual eighth month celebration of Ndi Igbo termed Alommuo. He noted that while people of other countries protect, promote and celebrate the ancient practices that distinguish them from other people, the Igbo people are destroying their own ancient landmarks.
On that note, he announced that custodians of Igbo tradition in his community should note all the sacred places that need renovation as he would sponsor renovating them and giving them their pride of place. He reiterated that such places would serve as tourist attractions to expatriates.
In his words, “Alommuo is a traditional practice observed on the eighth month by the Igbo people. It is a period of spiritual and physical renewal. It is usually misconstrued as New Yam festival but it is way beyond that. The month 8 is significant in the Bible. After the number 7 which is completion, 8 is an addition to God’s creation. Children are circumcised on the 8th day after birth. 8 is the renewal of the Igbo person. Alommuo can be transliterated as Spirit Renewal. There is nothing diabolic about our traditional practices. Asians, American and in fact, every race of people have their own culture and they observe them. We need to do the same here. I have invited my kinsmen, people from my maternal side, titled custodian of Igbo tradition, friends and well wishers and especially the youths who I wish to impact on the need to promote our culture.”
Also speaking during the event, Chief Dr. Ifeanyichukwu, Ozo Owulu Nimo, Okpesi, noted that the celebrant, Dr Izuchukwu, has, by the festival, attracted grace and favour from his ancestors. He said that the celebrant has also demonstrated the perpetuity of the Igbo traditional practices.
“Isimmili has shown his late father that his legacies are not forgotten. And that even though he is dead, he has been reincarnated. I therefore invoke the blessings of our ancestors on Dr Izuchukwu. I pray he lives long and that his children preserve his legacies when he is gone as he is preserving those of his late father.”
On his part, the Chairman of Igbo Traditional Practitioners in Nimo, Chief Ikechukwu thanked the celebrant for the initiative while enjoining other illustrious sons of Nimo to borrow a leaf from Dr Izuchukwu and commit their resources towards protecting our culture and traditions.
The President General of Nimo Town Development Union, Engr. Dan Zeelunjo Anakpe prayed for peace in Nimo community as he thanked the celebrant for providing such fora where Nimo sons and daughters can come together and concelebrate.
Highpoints of the event were the serving of different local delicacies prescribed specifically for the Alommuo celebration and different lecture sessions during which different custodians of Igbo culture took time to describe the rites and rituals as well as the philosophy behind the Alommuo celebration while drawing parallels in the Bible.
Attendees expressed great delight at the experience. The community youth leader of Nimo community, Mr Chibuike Ogbaji, profusely thanked the celebrant for the initiative. He noted that he had learnt a lot in the programme while calling on the Igbo custodians to hearken to their call for more exposition on the Ways of our ancestors.
