By Patrick Olileanya and Chiekezie Emmanuel

His Royal Highness, Igwe (Dr). Charles Egbo Nwoye, with members of his Council during the festival

Amuri Kingdom in Nkanu West Local Government of Enugu State recently celebrated her ancient and ancestral Soil Festival known as Oriri Anu.

To ensure that it’s culture and tradition is sustained, and do not go into extinction, Amurri people, both those living at home and in diaspora, young, and old, do converged on its market square every year November, for her popular Oriri Anu Festival to thank God and their ancestors for a bumper harvest and protection of the natives.

At this year’s celebration held on Monday 4th, November, 2024, at the usual Afor market square/Methodist church  school field Amurri, the Traditional ruler, His Royal Highness, Igwe (Dr). Charles Egbo Nwoye, who described the festival as symbolic, harped on the need for the preservation and propagation Of Igbo culture and tradition.

The royal father said posterity won’t forgive the custodians of culture in Igboland should they  allow it to go into extinction.

He posited that any race that does not promote its culture and tradition, which remains the people’s way of life and identity, are doing a disservice to such clime.

 “What we are doing here today, being Afor market day, is remarkable in the history of Amurri ancient kingdom. We are marking what has been in existence from time immemorial.

“It is only archeologists that can test the soil and trees to ascertain how long this community has been existing, and even at that, they can only use the word about, which may not be accurate.

“So, what we have gathered here today to celebrate is what we call Oriri Anu Amurri Esato Obodo Esato. Oriri, simply means celebration, while Anu means the soil. We are celebrating the soil.

“During the farming season, we cultivate, we plant different seedlings and produce into the soil, and by the beginning of November, we will begin to harvest and make bumper harvest.

“So in a nutshell, we have gathered here today to celebrate the soil of Amurri.

“In other words, we are celebrating Amurri Esato for the bumper harvest she has given to us for this year 2024.

“We appreciate the soil. We plant a small seed of yam, cocoyam and cassava, and come back to harvest bountifully.

“So for me, as a traditional ruler that is deeply rooted in tradition, I will keep propagating our culture and tradition.

“And that is why we have come to conclude this festival celebration which started in October with this grand finale.”

on his part, the Enugu State governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Patrick Ubru, lauded the Amurri people for their zeal and resilience in farming which he said was in line with his administration’s commitment to boosting food production and sufficiency.

He assured the people that his government would continue to provide farmers the conducive environment to enhance food sufficiency and make the state food basket of the South East.

Speaking also with Journalists, the National president of Amurri development union, ADU, Chief Ken Ani, corroborated other speakers and natives of the area, saying today, is special day for the sons and daughters of Amurri ancient kingdom.

He added that anywhere indigenes of the community are across the globe, they mark the special day because of its importance to Amurrians.

“It is a day set aside by four fathers for us to come converge at the market square and celebrate the climax of the annual  traditional festival

Our reporters write that notable personalities at the festival include Senator representing Enugu East senatorial district, Kelvin Chukwu, immediate past Enugu state Chairman of the ruling All progressives  Congress, APC Dr. Ben Nwoye, amongst others.