Igwe Kenneth Orizu (Igwe Nnewi III), the traditional ruler of Nnewi in Anambra State, yesterday celebrated Ofala festival in grand style.
The Ofala Festival is an annual ceremony practised by Igbo people, particularly the indigenes of Onitsha, Umueri, Umuoji and other neighboring communities such as Aguleri, Nnewi and Ukpo in Dunukofia Local Government Area.
It serves as a rites of renewal of the king or Igwe or Obi
It is alleged that Ofala Festival is similar to the Igue festival in Benin and the Ine, Osi or Ogbanigbe Festival in many mid-West Igbo communities of Nigeria. The term ofala, is derived from two Igbo words – ọfọ (English: authority) and ala (English: land).The festival is celebrated within two days mostly in October by the king and is a customary obligation that must be performed unfailingly every of years.
See photos of Igwe Kenneth Orizu below:
