by Ella Michaels
The people of the ancient Mkwesi Kingdom in Oguta LGA recently gathered to celebrate their 2024 New Yam Festival, also known as Omere Ife Festival. The event, which took place at the Palace of Peace, Mkwesi, was a grand affair that witnessed the presence of dignitaries, associates, and friends.
HRM Eze Professor Amuzinwa Dele Odigbo, the 44th traditional ruler of the ancient Mkwesi Accent Kingdom, described the Omere Ife festival as a "world of happiness" and thanked the Creator for a bountiful harvest. He expressed his wish for the community's prosperity and prayed for the young and old to age gracefully.
The event featured the traditional Igbu Opi and dance, performed by Eze Odigbo, a dance he only performs once a year as tradition demands. The festival is a sequence of successes dating back to 1461 when the Mkwesi people left Idonaoba in Edo State.
The Chairman of the occasion, Chief Cosmos Nwajuba, represented by Chief Ethelbert Ukonu, commended the Mkwesi people for promoting their culture and tradition. National President General of Mkwesi Arcent Kingdom, Emeka Odua, applauded Eze Odigbo for sustaining the Omereife festival and asked for more grace and wisdom for the king.
The event was graced by prominent people from near and far and featured a book presentation on Omereife Mkwesi and Oru Clan, as well as the Iwa Ji ritual. Palace Secretary Gidion Ofili, Chairman Umude Royal Village Udum Aja, and Mr. Idika Nsofu prayed for more years for the king and life in good health.
As the ancient Mkwesi Kingdom celebrates its 99th Omere Ife festival, the community comes together to thank God for a bountiful harvest and seek a bigger harvest during the next harvest, referencing Genesis 8, which declares that seed time and harvest time shall not seize.
