Obiano and Others at Aguleri Ovala festival 2016 – Photos

Obiano and Others at Aguleri Ovala festival 2016 – Photos.


Significance of the Ovala Festival. 

  The Ovala is purely a royal and kingly festival in Aguleri, its significance and impact has greatly changed. The Ovala festival of Eze Idigo of Aguleri remains the most significant and most colorful cultural and traditional royal fiesta in the entire South-East Nigeria. The Ovala Aguleri has assumed the status of a major ethnic royal festival comparable to the famous Igue royal festival in Benin and the O’dua royal festival in Ile-Ife among others. Its national social significance is also comparable to the popular Argungu fishing festival in Sokoto and the Lagos Eyo festival.

Significantly, the Ovala festival is the high point and the beginning of the royal year in Aguleri. It is the most popular and prestigious traditional festival in Aguleri celebrated by the Eze Idigo of Aguleri to among other things, commemorate his kingship and herald the dawn of a new year. It affords the Eze Aguleri an annual opportunity to commune with his people, other communities, individual and institutional stakeholders within and beyond Aguleri. It brings together men and women, old and young not only from Aguleri, but also most communities in the present Anambra-East, Anambra-West, Oyi and Ayamelum LGAs for a native week-long (four days) celebration. During the festival, the Eze Idigo offers prayers and thanksgiving to God for His benevolence and continued assistance both in the year gone by and in the new year. He interacts with and receives tributes and homage from his numerous subjects Aguleri

The average Aguleri person looks forward to the Ovala festival with high expectation, more than any other traditional or modern social festival. It means so many things to so many people and an opportunity to witness some annual but rare events. In specific terms, the Ovala affords an opportunity for Aguleri people to celebrate and herald the new year, go home and interact with their kith and kin, and once more integrate themselves into the socio-traditional life of the people. It was formerly celebrated on the first Eke market day of the year but due to modern demands the date has changed to the first Saturday of every year.