By Chiekezie Emmanuel

The Department of English and Literary Studies, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, (ESUT), hosted an Igbo Cultural Awareness on Igbo Origin and appealed to Ndị Igbo to return to their culture and reclaim their identity

The cultural awareness was held on Thursday at the school premises in Ebeano City

The Departmental President, in an interview with ESUT Monitor newspaper, Comr Ndị Chimdindu, explained that the exhibition is part of the 300 level course, titled “Igbo Translation and Culture.”

“It is part of our exam. That is why you are seeing all of us here and we are doing it. 40% goes to assessment while the rest is from the exhibition.

“We are also using this medium to show the world what Igbo tradition looks like through the native doctors.
Sometimes people misinterpret native doctors as something negative, so we want to correct that impression,” he said”.

He also revealed the challenges faced while embarking on the awareness, using himself as an example:
“I was able to get the costume I am putting on, and most of them rented theirs themselves.
We created groups to make it easier for us. Group leaders organized their groups, and each group had a divergent role to play. For example, my group presented Igba Afa. So when you see me in this attire, it is portraying the topic I am doing.”

There were 10 different groups, such as IchiOzo, Igba Afa,New Yam Festival,Ogbanje, and others.
“The departmental board is awaiting this presentation,” he added.

One of the participants, Nwobodo Chiagoziem, explained that the reason for the awareness is to remind Igbos that their culture has not gone into extinction.
“There is still evidence of Igbo culture in this country, especially in this period of cultural illumination when everyone is leaving their villages to follow Western ways,” he emphasized.

Also speaking, Nnamani Chioma Faith*m, one of the members, who displayed Ogbanje stated:
“Today we are doing our cultural day. Every year, 300-level students always do their cultural day. Everyone portrays their role through the act.

This is Nigerian Oral Literature. The lecturer will assign each group what they will do, then you go and perform it on the day.
This is just the parade. After this, each group will do a general presentation.”

The exhibition sparked questions among the Nze na Ozo community and other people because of the costumes and actions displayed while exhibiting the cultures.

One of the titled men, Igwe Ahuwara Eze Ama, hailed the exhibition but urged them to inform the Nze na Ozo Community before embarking on such activities for corrections next time.