The 2020 Agbor Iwa-Igi festival has come and gone but, it left with it memories of a rich cultural heritage of an ancient Kingdom in the Niger Delta Area of South South Nigeria.
This year’s Iwa-Igi festival which was celebrated on Sunday, October 4 was one of the best that Agbor Kingdom has celebrated recently. The festival which started with homage to the revered Agbor monarch, His Royal Majesty Dr Benjamin Ikenchuku Keagborekwuzi I, at his palace at Ime-Obi by his Chiefs, subjects and non indigenes residing in the Kingdom was followed by an eventful get to together party at the Dein Royal Palace ground at Ime-Obi where Ndichen Agbor, palace Chiefs, members of the royal family (Odafin aka eze), Agbor indigenes and non indigenes were all gathered to celebrate and thank the Almighty God for a bumper yam harvest.
The new and young Agbor Chiefs electrified the day as they glow in their colourful and elegant traditional attires. They were all smiles as they joined hands with Baba (Dein) of Agbor and the entire Agbor people to celebrate one of the cherished festivals in the kingdom, Iwa-Igi.
The Palace ground was filled with Agbor men, women, youths, little children, including friends of Agbor Kingdom. This year’s Iwa-Igi festival celebration was indeed an eventful one as all persons present were entertained with foods and drinks. A popular Ika high life music maestro, Agholor Solomon Onyeka (ASO) and Oyibo Ohue added colour to the event with songs from their musical stables. ASO as he is fondly called lived up to expectations as his melodious voice lights up the atmosphere. Also present to entertain guests were the award Winners Cultural Dance Group and a leading Disc Jockey in the city, Milky Bob. Children were not left out in the Iwa-Igi celebration as they had fun too. The Master of Ceremony for the day, Mr. Joseph Arimichen Agboifo, popularly known as, Dokita Best did not disappoint his fans as he delivered very well his oratory prowess.
For the record, the Iwa-Igi festival is one of the oldest and cherished festivals in Agbor Kingdom.It’s a day the King and his subjects appreciate Osolobue (the Almighty God) for a successful yam farming season. It’s an annual event that usually comes up first week of October. The 2020 edition was indeed a grand one. While all Agbor sons and daughters are proud to uphold the rich cultural heritage of their place of origin and birth, it’s expected that future Iwa-Igi festival celebrations will further announce the ancient Kingdom to the world.
Ekwuabu Ugbobu, Chief Lawrence Wilson Agbobu, Chief Hillary Agholor and Chief Kester Utebor
