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Ofala Onitsha is the indigenous [[Ofala Festival] held by indigenes of Onitsha, Nigeria. It is usually held around mid-October, is the highpoint of the Onitsha ceremonial cycle. Although Ofala Festival is common to many Ibo tribes, Onitsha Ofala is rather unique since it is believed to be the first Ofala in the Igbo tribe^[1].

The Celebration

Onitsha Ofala festival revolves around the Obi of Onitsha and is an occasion for the monarch to fulfill certain obligations which include a celebration by the monarch and his subjects of the monarch’s annual emergence from seclusion, is incommunicado and undergoes spiritual cleansing for the good of the Onitsha community. Thereafter, the obi emerges from seclusion and blesses his subjects whilst praying for the community.

The Ofala Onitsha is also a reenactment of the joy which the monarch shared with his subjects, at the discovery that yam is non-toxic, and a valuable source of food. It is equally an opportunity for the monarch, following his seclusion to review his army and obtain the assurance of loyalty from his generals: redcap chiefs (Ndichie). Given that in the past days, the monarch was rarely seen in public, the Ofala provided an opportunity for his subjects to catch a glimpse of him, which is why they gathered in large numbers at the Ofala to pay homage to the monarch. They still do today. The Ofala experience, which is a display of royal dances, tributes, parades, and music, runs over two days. ^[2]

Experience

The first day of the Ofala Onitsha is called Iru Ofala. The Obi is the center of attention on this day and he comes out wearing his full regalia, including the popular colorful headgear, then parades the arena of his palace on three different occasions in full view of all present. He also dances to the beat of the war drums. The second day of Ofala Onitsha is called Azu Ofala involved the indigenes of Onitsha. These comprise of the various age-grade societies^[3] in their very colorful uniforms. Each society dances past the throne room, paying homage to the monarch.^[4]

The Ofala Onitsha has grown in popularity in terms of its social glamour and its intrinsic meaning for indigenes of Onitsha, attracting worldwide attention, including enjoying the benefit of partnerships with popular organizations and Institutions, which have helped greatly in highlighting and elevating Onitsha to the world. ^[5]

Ofala Onitsha has been recognized as an asset to the Nigerian Tourism ecosystem that can eventually become a regional and global cultural event.^{[6] [7]}

References