The Last Ofala Festival

By: Princess Ezenwa Okenwa

Ofala Festival is an leader, a legend and one of They ate, drank and take annual celebration that the greatest Kings of home lots of souvenirs. commemorates a King’s Africa. Despite the Note: The rope in the coronation in Igbo land, the numerous challenges that photos represents the gift Eastern part of Nigeria, a confronted him in his of a cow. West African country. lifetime, he remained As the Ofala Usually celebrated in patient and focused to the progressed, when His Royal December with lots of end. Majesty was expected to pageantries, entertainment, “The Last Ofala appear, dance around, and cultural activities to engage Festival” for His Royal see his subjects, he did not and satisfy all in attendance. Majesty, Eze-Igwe began show up. In the days of our fore with a 21 gun salute. Soon The Prince and the fathers, before the advent after the gun salute Princess, accompanied by of Christianity, no one is followed the Igba-Eze – the other visiting Kings, His allowed in the presence of a King’s Drummers (for Majesty’s Cabinet—the King without a genuine Kings only) played the Ichies and the Titled Chiefs dispute resolution case or sensational musical as they including all the princes and other case that needs his danced delicately from one princesses, appear without immediate attention. The end of the palace to the His Royal Majesty, Eze- “Ofala” or “Iguaro” which other announcing that “The Igwe (Dr) S.O.C. Ezenwa, means anniversary, King is on his way”. The II. They dance around therefore, is not only a members of the King’s accompanied by the music coronation anniversary Cabinet (Ndi-Ichie) arrive, from the Igba-Eze (King’s celebration but also a day dressed in their finest. The drummers). the King’s subjects come to Prince and the Princess, pay homage. required by tradition to The dancing is abruptly stopped for an The reign of His Royal dress up in the King’s regalia, welcome other announcement. Chief Majesty, Eze-Igwe Dr. Silas Okpala, Ichie Oku, O.C. Ezenwa II, MBE, the Kings, government officials, dignitaries from all Okwuluora of Awka-Etiti Obi & Traditional Ruler of announced that His Royal Awka-Etiti, Anambra State, over the country Nigeria and around the world. Majesty who had traveled; Nigeria, and the Last Ofala, whom he thought would are the perfect fit for the People arrived to be part of The Last Ofala a have been back from his far African Culture. His journey while the Ofala humility and determination Celebration of the Life of His Majesty, Eze-Igwe, Dr. Festival was in progress, of purpose and obviously had departed to accomplishments were S.O.C. Ezenwa, II, MBE. They come bearing gifts to the other side. In Igbo recognized by his subjects, land, the King lives forever. the Federal Government of pay the final homage to The Great King. Just like in the They pass on to a greater Nigeria and around the place. world. Eze-Igwe (the King) past, all in attendance were reigned for 46 years, the entertained by several Nna-Anyi Igwe, ima na longest in the history of cultural dances and mu huru gi na-anya nke ukwu!!! Igbo land. He was a true masquerade performances.