Nsukwe people observe a day of culture and entertainment for their late monarch.
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Wednesday 17 April 2024 was a day the elders, king makers, Council of Chiefs, youths, men and women of Nsukwe Ubakala in Umuahia South Local Government Area (LGA) of Abia State, Nigeria will always remember as one of the most eventful days in the history of the community. The reason is that this special day, marked the beginning of the burial activities lined up for the late HRH Eze Samuel Iheukwumere Anyanwoke, the Isiala 1 of Nsukwe Ubakala. It was also a day the community used to observe her culture and tradition, with regards to rites of passage for the community.
According to Elder Temple Okechukwu Obia, the President-General of Nsukwe Autonomous Community, while answering questions from Umuaka Times reporters in Nsukwe last week, as the culture and constitution of the community demand, the kinsmen and women of Nsukwe Autonomous Community gathered at the palace of the royal father two days before his burial to mourn with the family, the royal passage of the king and demand their rites. The royal family was also prepared to present to their kinsmen and women their rites.
Few minutes after the interview with the president-general, the kinsmen gathered inside the palace (Obi Eze) for proper rituals. First, they were presented with kola nuts and other presentations followed. When they were done with all the presentations made inside the Obi Eze, the family then took them out to where a big cow was also presented to them as the tradition demands.
Later in the day, the kinsmen and women gathered again for more celebrations in honour of the man who lived for over a 100 years. As the celebrations were going on at different canopies outside, the royal family and the members of St. Andrew’s Anglican Church Nsukwe were in a spiritual atmosphere as they were holding a service of songs for the repose of the soul of the deceased. This beautiful segment took place as the events were being rounded up by the community in the evening.
The celebration of the life and times of HRH Eze Samuel Iheukwumere Anyanwoke, the Isiala 1 of Nsukwe Ubakala, indeed began with the community displaying their love for their king. Cultural displays and other forms of entertainment took place during the colourful celebration of life of the monarch and the display of the rich cultural heritage of the people were successfully held on the first day.
