ESV. Collins Uba Lauds Avu Indigenes Over 2026 Okwu Avu Festival<\/p>\n
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….Harps On Preservation Of Culture<\/p>\n
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By Amaechi Chidinma<\/p>\n
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The 2026 Okwu Avu cultural festival organized by Avu\u00a0 Kingdom Development Foundation in conjunction with the Avu Traditional Council and Oha Avu – Council in Owerri West Local Government Area took place last Friday, August 28 at Central School Avu playground.<\/p>\n
The occasion was well attended by people from all walks of life including traditional rulers, community leaders, top government functionaries and appointees, federal and state House of Assembly members and the general public.<\/p>\n
In an interview with journalists on the event, illustrious son of Avu, and member, Oha Avu Council,\u00a0 ESV. Oha Collins Onuawuchi Uba. MNIVS, RSV. recalled that during the precolonial era, the entire Ara clan was observing Okwu jointly before the clearing of bushes for farming season, adding that the Ohas from 5 communities in Ara, including Avu, Umuguma, Okuku, Obinze and Oforola jointly observe the ceremony in Avu.<\/p>\n
Later 4 out of the 5 communities in Ara left the ritual, leaving only Oha Avu to observe the ritual alone, so it was then\u00a0 renamed “Okwu Avu”.<\/p>\n
ESV Oha Collins Uba noted that\u00a0 Avu community is sustained by a network of social norms and values, and violation of any of the cultural\u00a0 norms of the people is always frowned at by the people and the ancestral spirits of the land, attracting punishment in various degrees depending on the nature of the offence, recalling that in the time immemorial, Okwu Arushi was observed, the Oha would wear tender fronds, “Omu” to signify the approach of the festival, and during the period, they undergo some purificatory rites and abstain from any form of descratiing habits including\u00a0 war, quarrels of any sort until the end of Okwu.<\/p>\n
He disclosed that the essence of the festival was to give thanks to God for the life He gave to the people to plant and harvest bountifully and identified yam as the head of all the crops and that is why it is\u00a0 celebrated.<\/p>\n
ESV Uba recalled that in the olden days, the wealth of a man was measured by the size of his barns and advised Igbo people to go back to their roots, embrace farming for food sufficiency and financial independence.<\/p>\n
He appealed to Avu people to sustain the peace existing in the community.<\/p>\n
The renowned Estate Surveyor and Valuer identified the traditional ruler of Avu, HRM Eze Mike Okere V JP as a very young, vibrant and dynamic leader who has brought peace and progress in the area and encouraged the people of Avu to rally round the monarch, give him their maximum support to enable him do more.<\/p>\n
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<\/a>the event.<\/p>\n