…Uses Ikwerre As A Test Case
The rich cultural heritage of the Niger Delta people, particularly the Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality was the focus of a paper delivered by HRH Eze John Enyindah Amadi (JP) during the Cultural Day of Emmy Norberton International Schools held last week in Port Harcourt.
Defining culture as the way of life of the people which includes, values, beliefs, customs and languages, Eze Amadi stressed that culture measures the quality of life, vitality and health of the society.
“Through our culture we develop a sense of belonging, personal and cognitive growth and ability to empathize and relate to each other”, pointing out that direct benefits of a strong culture encompasses health and wellness, self esteem, skills development, social, capital and economic returns.
Listing some important cultural festivals in the Niger Delta such as: Niger Delta Festival of Arts and Culture, Okiroro/Okere Festival, Boat Regatta Festival, Ukwatta Festival, Ikwerre/Kalabari/ Okrika Festivals and Iwaji Festival, Eze Amadi who is the Paramount Ruler Rumuodara Community said these festivals showcase the way of life of various communities in the region, acting as veritable tools for unity of the people.
His Highness is greatly fascinated by the rich cultural heritage of the Ikwerre people, especially their traditional marriage ceremonies, wrestling festivals and a whole lot of others.
He explained the processes involved in traditional marriage from the introduction, which he called, “Door knocking” to the time the bride is brought home to be with the suitor. Even what is worn by the bride and groom during the traditional marriage was x-rayed. While the man spots a loose end wrapper atop of etibo (flowing shirt) with a hat to match, the lady wears wrapper with some traditional top.
She also wears traditionally made beads round her waist and some more round her wrist, stressing that the atmosphere at the marriage venue is always electric, as it is spiced up with some traditional displays by the youths of the community.
Eze Amadi also spoke of wrestling festival, which he described as an integral part of Ikwerre culture.
According to him, during festive periods like Christmas the entire Ikwerre Kingdom is always agog with various cultural festivals, particularly wrestling. Wrestling, he told the gathering, is mainly engaged by the able-bodied youths to test their physical strength.
The well grounded traditional ruler also spoke of the various masquerades that are a feature of Ikwerre/Niger Delta culture and how they help to add glitz and glamour to events.
The students, parents, teachers and other categories of people who were at the cultural day appreciated the lecture and thanked Eze Amadi for it.
