– Explains Adherence To Age-Long Traditional, Cultural Norms

Dindi  Ihiagwa Autonomous Community, one of the communities in  Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo state celebrated its age-long Odu Ukwu Festival on Thursday July 24 2025. The community is very unique  because of the role it plays in the cultural calendar of the Oratta Clan and beyond. One of such distinct roles according to highly informed sources is the celebration of the Odu Festival.

Some of those who spoke to this reporter including the Hon Comrade Okere Kelechukwu John, President, Iriegbe Nshi Ato Welfare Association (INWA) said, “Odu Ihiagwa is a yearly cultural festival that ushers in the harvest season. It marks the beginning of new yam festivals within the Oratta Clan and even beyond.

It is so symbolic that Owerri Nshi Ise comprising the five communities that make up Owerri Municipal Council, cannot celebrate their annual “Oru Owerri” until the “Odu Ihiagwa” Festival is celebrated. Likewise, other communities depend on this singular event to mark the traditional calendar for their own cultural festivities.”

Hon Okere, further said, “however, due to some unpleasant events that happened in Ihiagwa Ofo Asato within the year, it became imperative that we celebrate this year’s Odu Festival on a low key. Such events include but are not limited to, the death of the wife of the renowned ODU dancer – PA Lawrence Anah. As custom demands, he did not dance this year. The second reason was the demise of Ichie Godsend Opara, Chairman, Council of Elders, Dindi Autonomous Community.

Thirdly, the death of the traditional ruler of Ihiagwa, His Royal Highness, Eze Lucky Ajoku, who is still being mourned.

Another reason for celebrating this year’s Odu Festival on a low key was  its coincidence with the burial date of one of our illustrious sons, Chief, Dr Chris Chigoziri Asoluka (Okwuruoha)”

Others who spoke on the issue, aligned with Hon Okere’s statement adding that “this year’s Odu Festival was celebrated on a very low key, considering the sensitivity of a loud and flamboyant ceremony to the moral conscience of our people, ancestors and external stakeholders who attach much premium to decorum, due process and sensitivity to age-long traditional and cultural norms