One of the things which mark a community is her cultural identity or cultural disposition. This is so because a culture defines a community’s way of life, her custom, beliefs and social organisation. A community’s culture equally defines ones mode of dressing, respect for self as well as respect for others. In Amaigbo today, there are a range of cultural activities which are being celebrated and these cultural activities identifies with her beliefs, custom and social organisation.
It must also be said that Amaigbo indigenes esteem camaraderie and social identity and that the range of cultural events celebrated is aimed at maintaining a sustainable relationships among the natives. They are also intended at helping to educate the natives to appreciate her culture so that they can in turn pass it onto their future generation.
The bedrock in every cultural activity in Amaigbo is the present Eze His royal Highness, Eze W.C Nwosu. His Royal Highness, Eze Nwosu hails from Ubahu village. He is the anchor behind every event in Amaigbo. Below him are members of his cabinet the (Nze na Ozo) who helps him in the dispensation of justice and peace keeping in Amaigbo.
Below are some of the festivals which takes place in Amaigbo.
The New Yam festival marks the herald for yam harvest. It is an event where communities gather to thank their creator for yielding a great harvest from their farms. Unfortunately, this event appears to have been phased out in Amaigbo. It has not been observed for some years now. The New Yam Festival used to take place towards the end of August or 1st week in September (every year). The natives used to travel to the village to mark this blissful occasion.
The Umudike wrestling is another festival which takes place in Amaigbo. This is an athletic sport where men display their strength, courage and physical skills. It is a contest where two opponents grapple and try to throw each other to the ground. The overall winner is deemed the strongest man in the village. Umudike wrestling takes place between July and August. Turn out for this event is grandiose given that it coincides with the annual general meeting. It also attract people from other neighbouring town.
It is worth mentioning that Umukabia is another village renowned for wrestling in Amaigbo.
Amaigbo day takes place on the 27th of December, every year. Amaigbo community strives to ensure that no other event clashes with this occasion. Every village is represented at this gathering. The natives also turn out in conspicuous quantity to witness, participate, and celebrate the Amaigbo day event. A range of activities such as women dancing competition, football etc does take on this day. The women dancing competition involves both women in the rural and urban areas. The women use the opportunity to display their dancing skills, which, they had practised prior to the event. A winner at the dance competition is presented with a trophy as a way of recognising the best dancing group at the event. The trophy is kept by the winners of the dancing competition till the next Amaigbo day event.
The interesting part of the event is the women' ostentatious and glamorous costumes; they are adorned in coral beads on their feet and waist as well as traditional necklaces and earrings. These sparkle and add warmth to the event. Attires worn by spectators also beautifies and add verve to the event.
There are numerous festivals which takes place in Amaigbo. Some of these festivals are Okorosha, Ekpe,Ebunanu, Alija, Elendube, Òkónkó, ebuebu etc. These cultural dance take place on different days to enable the natives visit other villages' festivals.
Most of the cultural dances are performed by men who seize the opportunity to display their dancing acumen and dexterity. These men are adorned in masquerade (mask) and other cultural costumes to entertain the public.
Prior to these events, the men are usually engaged in continuous rehearsal to enable them master the skills of the dance and attain perfection on the Herculean day.
In Úmúóla ndi uhu village for example, all men (adult) are expected to be present at the official celebration "ibuputa Okorosha" which takes place on the 1st of October. "Ibuputa Okorosha" is a formal declaration that the village will be performing Okorosha dance that year. The celebration takes place all night on the first day; the men celebrate the Ibuputa nkwa playing a variety of musical instruments; variety of dances are rehearsed, Okorosha songs are chanted and new members are coached on the modus operandi of the dances. They adorn in masquerades and other cultural costumes the following morning to entertain the villagers through house to house visits.
Formal declaration of the Okorosha celebration provides a very good moment for the youths to entertain the villagers through house to house visits, with singing and chanting of the Okorosha songs in return for little money until run up to the main event.
Intense practice resumes when all participants of the Okorosha dance visit home in December for the main event. All participants are given the chance to learn all the techniques of the different dance and also, to prepare themselves for the Herculean day. Tents are mounted on the day of celebration at the playground (Amaukwu); the playground is also watered to reduce the effect of dust for the entertainers as well as spectators.
The Okorosha dance, like every other events in Amaigbo draws a large crowd. Entertainers at the Okorosha dance display great dancing acumen to enthral, entertain and mesmerise spectators. Favourite dancers are the likes of "Obiri na asa" and "Agwóaka."
Most villages who participate at the Okorosha dance enlist in what is known as "Ama asato". Members of this group are represented in other villages Okorosha dance to show their support and solidarity and also a sense of oneness and unity to the villages’ involved. They all reciprocate in turns.
Other interesting part of the event are when friends and relations are invited home for dinner, which provides an opportunity for the guests to enjoy some of the natives delicatessens and discuss about the event and other interesting matters before dispersing to their various destinations.
The annual general meeting provides a forum to dicuss issues affecting individuals, villages and the community at large. The natives are often compelled to visit home for this very important occasion with the exception of natives living abroad and those in civil service who may not be able to take time off work to attend this grandiose occasion. Meetings for both gender takes place at different times. The men's meeting usually takes place in June while the women's meeting takes place in August. These are very important event for the community as matters or issues affecting the villages and Amaigbo at large are discussed at great length. For example, present prevalent issues affecting the village(s) would be the main focus, likewise, prospective opportunities which would greatly benefit the people will be discussed at the meeting. Any future event are also elucidated at these meetings. Members also utilise the medium to resolve dispute(s) amongst members, brethren or families.
Festivals in Amaigbo strives to bring the natives together. A greater awareness and understanding of the existence of the variety of festivals transceded from our progenitors will continue to sustain amiable relationships amongst Amaigbo indigenes.
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