*Chief Uduma Ọlugu.*
*Culture and Tradition* *Enthusiast.*
" *Onye mụrụ nwoke gbere arọ* , *mgbe anya gara na* *ugwu ọcha".*
*Credit : lgba Ekpe Cultural Festival Song.*
The rite of passage ( the formative years ), usually begins before the age of 12 with igba ṅuṅu ( shooting of bird with bow and arrow). This momentous achievement is followed by ịma ṅụnụ ( trapping a bird),ike Ọba ( symbolic act of constructing of yam barn),igwa ọba ( farming and yam ceremony). Ịgwa ọba may take place as from the age of fifteen years.
It is pertinent to note that,initation into ọbon,akang and ekpe - ọkọnkọ societies are core elements for rites of passage. The rite of passage activities starts gathering momentum and public attention during ( taking of name)izara afa. This involves all male and female born 1- 3 years apart,ages about 20 years old. The rite of passage between igba ṅụṅụ and izara afa (8 years) are the leadership and character development years of an individual. Many traditional school of thought suggests that, the first boy to kill a bird with his bow and arrow has demonstrated courage and daintlessness, therefore gained the right to lead his contemporaries. One is introduced to Ọhafia values and the sophistication ancestral phenomenological thoughts.
Leadership and character development is important to Nde Ọhafia . The first son of his father ( ọkwara), the first son of her mother ( ọkwara nne), head of the maternal family ( ikwu), head of the paternal compound (eze ezi), and head of age grade ( eze uke) play active and important role in our community.
Character is not entirely innate,it is a dynamic quality that evolves over time. Psychologist note that, character development is shaped by your life experiences.
For example igba ṅụṅụ ( shooting of bird with bow and arrow), ima nnụnụ ( trapping a bird), ike Ọba ( symbolic act of constructing of yam barn), igwa ọba, initiation into ọbọn,akang, and ọkọnkọ - ekpe societies are life experiences for leadership, and character development established by our progenitors to equip generations unborn.
Adopting these principles in contemporary business, politics, and commerce, Nde - Ọhafia have excelled nationally and globally.
Leadership and character development is shaped by care givers, and the intentional choice you make, because it is built on beliefs, character which can be actively cultivated through mindfulness, value clarification and cognitive behaviourial practices that improve emotional regulation.
Character is demonstrated in private , under pressure when you have nothing to gain. Character are the good qualities of a person that usually include moral or emotional strength, honesty, and fairness, your sense of right and wrong, ethical lines you refused to cross. Honesty, integrity, loyalty, compassion, perseverance, resilience,self discipline and curiosity.
Nde Ohafia must recognise that,eze ezi, ezi ikwu,and eze uke are cultural and traditional leadership. Alumni of Ohafia rite of passage, and school of thought will excel in traditional and cultural leadership. *Owugi meriga nwata* *yara iko nne'yà.It* requires knowledge of your family history , culture, tradition, commitment, capacity and sacred oath to uphold same. Ofeke, the un-initiated,iconoclast ,anti-cultural and Philistines may make a reck of this sacred calling. Some turn down this position, waving their right, clearing the way, allowing the next person in line to assume this role. This is not weakness, but wisdom. This is the right thing to do, after having a meeting with yourself, extensive consultation, and concluded that,it is better to allow others to serve.This is very important, and deserves your attention.
More importantly, accepting extended family leadership means that, the ancestral mantle has fallen on you. It consecrates and ordained the individual as the genealogical and spiritual head of that particular extended family, ultimate custodian of the extended family heritage, oral history, traditional leadership, holder of the family ọfọ ( patriarchal family), and ududu ( reliquary), for maternal extended family.
Your duty are, but not limited to the following ;
Outsource the management of your family ancestral land, retain the services of a licensed surveyor and lawyer,you must educate members the importance of performing traditional marriage rites in the village, repatriation of the remains of deceased relatives to their place of birth, including wives for internment, and those who died overseas inclusive ,teach at every opportunity,the critical importance of giving children Ọhafia clan names using established family onamastics, research and author a book on family tree ( history), and add new members through birth and marriage, encourage members to visit Ọhafia during burial rites , especially of deceased family members,iri ji, igba Uche,ikwa ịkọrọ agwụ,fund drive for community projects, izara afa etc., encourage, advice, and facilitate the buying of land and construction of country home for family members, track members progress, mentor and encourage them, organise general home coming annually,be advocate for peace, discourage litigation, but support arbitration,establish active whatsapp group and telephone number directory, do not decommission your ancestral deities, historical and archaeological objects, sacred places, relics ,do not remove ancient land mark,and such like, rather, have reverence for culture and tradition,appoint custodian and priest to manage same.You may seek counsel,if needed.
Establish a dedicated fund for welfare, empowerment, scholarship and supporting entrepreneurs.
Be generous and thankful to your ancestors,pour libations during traditional marriage,birth, death, turning of sword, house opening, family members travelling abroad for the first time, family members returning from abroad, graduation, employment, appointments, promotion, safety, and special occasions.
Know the names of your ancestors and their praise names to the seventh generation.
Invoke these names during traditional prayers and libations.
At a very young age,educate children and parents that ( incest) ikperi nwa'ni is a taboo with serious consequences emanating from your maternal ancestry.
Encourage them to confess to leadership in the event of such relationships for your spiritual intervention ASAP.
Lastly, The rites of Passage and Ọhafia Ancient School of Thought,taught us that, Nde Ọhafia does not steal, and that, stealing is a taboo, and has spiritual and socio-economic consequences.
Remember that,as a traditional family head (aka ji ọfọ),Do not have sexual relationship with a married woman, Do not take another person land, and do not take bribe or compromise with other people's money.
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*Translation of igba ekpe* *cultural festival song.*
*Parents of a male child,* *rejoice not, until he returns* *from the white mountain* *pilgrimage.*
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