ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Enugu State Government has urged communities in the State on the need to preserve and promote their cultural identities and heritages, for the benefit of their younger generations.
The Enugu State Commissioner for Rural Development, Dr Kingsley Udeh made the call on Thursday during the 2nd edition of Great Achallaukwu Festival by Affa community in Udi Council Area of Enugu State.
Voiceofnaija.ng gathered that the great Achallaukwu Dynasty comprises of some communities in Igbo-Etiti, Uzo-Uwani and Udi Local Government Areas of Enugu State.
The festival started with the Holy Mass celebrated by the Spiritual Director of Great Achallaukwu Dynasty, Rev. Fr. Joe Ezechi, with many sons and daughters of Affa in attendance.
Present also was Affa traditional ruler, His Royal Highness Marius Ahamu.
The Commissioner who was represented by the ministry’s Public Relation Officer, Mrs Ifeoma Ogbu stressed on the need for communities to promote and sustain their culture from dying.
He said: “Enugu government is calling all the communities in Enugu and their leaders to resuscitate their culture through training and retraining people on their culture.”
Udeh added that the manner and way youths act and dress in this modern era does not represent their culture and, as such, the stakeholders should sensitize them to uphold those values in their culture.
He advised that. “Today this community is celebrating ancestral father called Achallaukwu and it is occasion all members of the community should embrace.
“I am advising them to take the celebration serious by exploring the opportunity to reach out to all the strata of the community which include women, youths, children and elderly.
“There is need to cooperate and bring their culture to enviable height.”
Fr Ezechi in his homily said the cultural celebration signified brotherhood and togetherness of all the sons and daughters of Achallukwu ancient kingdom.
He, however, regretted that people often neglect the culture of their ancestors, saying there was need to revival it.
The cleric said he had studied Igbo culture and Region, explaining that culture was what defines people and show their true identity.
His words: “I feel pain how people keep throwing away their culture in name of paganism. We cannot throw them away but remind ourselves whom we are.
“We only need to remove the harmful part of it to suit modern life.”
In his welcome address earlier, the President General of Affa Autonomous Community, Mr Victor Uchedienyi said the essence of the cultural event was to celebrate their paternity and ancestral bond and cultural values.
He explained that the celebration will help to integrate their strength in order to overcome their weaknesses, make them one indivisible people and promote love and relationship.
Uchedienyi who is also the convener of the event noted that3 their fore father Achallaugwu had children dispersed and developed into numerous communities retaining some of the his cultural values.
He said: “We shall no longer tolerate any dividing element in our paternity relationship. Great Achallaukwu Dynasty will continue to transform their culture to suit modern day society.
“We are called upon to co-exist and concentrate on the things that can bind us together, transform ancient practices that are obsolete and analyse our values and market our rich cultural values.”
Also, an elder, Mr Emmanuel Eketaonwu said the event was used to remember their day.
According to him, they had been doing it in a traditional way before some people advocated it should be done in a modern way to accommodate Christians.
“We accepted and we do not have problem celebrating it together as brothers and sisters,” he said.