Oraifite Agog as HRM Ezeora II Celebrates 2025 Iwaji Festival in Grand Style
By David Onwuchekwa
Oraifite Kingdom in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State was transformed into a vibrant theatre of colour, rhythm, and tradition on Sunday, as His Royal Majesty, Ogbuefi Stanley Chukwujekwu, the Ezeora II of Oraifite, led his people in celebrating the 2025 Iwaji (New Yam) Festival.
From the early hours of the morning, the town assumed a festive atmosphere. Families, friends, and well-wishers thronged the Umuike Family Hall, the venue of the celebration, to witness the cultural spectacle.
The event brought together prominent stakeholders of Oraifite, traditional custodians, Ndị Nze na Ozo, captains of industry, cultural enthusiasts, and indigenes from both home and the diaspora. It was not merely a festival it was a display of unity and a celebration of the enduring beauty of Igbo heritage.
In his royal address, Igwe Chukwujekwu described the festival as a sacred moment of thanksgiving and cultural reaffirmation. He emphasized that Iwaji is a time when the people of Oraifite commune with their ancestors, express gratitude for a bountiful harvest, and strengthen the bonds of unity within the kingdom.
The high point of the day was the symbolic cutting of roasted yam, a sacred ritual performed by the monarch. Holding the yam aloft, the Ezeora II invoked the Holy Trinity—”In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost”—to which the crowd responded with a thunderous “Amen.”
This rite, deeply rooted in Igbo cosmology, marked the acceptance of the new harvest and granted permission for the people to begin consuming the season’s yams.
Surrounded by his royal cabinet, his wife (the Lolo), elders, and visiting dignitaries, the Igwe radiated joy as he watched the cultural performances unfold. Masquerades and traditional dance groups lit up the occasion with vibrant displays.
Notably, the revered Ajofia Nnewi made an appearance, his esoteric presence electrifying the audience. Dance troupes from various quarters of Oraifite performed in succession, their drums, flutes, and chants echoing into the evening sky.
Guests were treated to a rich sensory experience resplendent women in traditional wrappers, men adorned in flowing isiagu, and children in colourful attire dancing to the beat of the talking drum. There was plenty to eat and drink, with yam dishes in various forms and other delicacies served freely, symbolizing abundance and hospitality.
Voices from the community added depth to the celebration.
Pastor Dr. Josiah Udoji described the festival as “long-awaited,” highlighting its role in fostering togetherness and promoting cultural heritage.
Charles Chukwujekwu reminded attendees that Iwaji is a legacy passed down by the forefathers—an enduring tradition that connects generations of Oraifite people.
To Chief Sir Moses Obi, the festival represented “a season of joy—the evidence of harvest after the toil of planting.”
Beyond its cultural richness, the event also bore historical significance.
It will be recalled that a landmark judgment of the Nnewi High Court on the Oraifite chieftaincy dispute affirmed the right of the Ezumeri quarters to produce the traditional ruler—a ruling that led to the ascension of HRM Ogbuefi Stanley Chukwujekwu as the Ezeora II of Oraifite.
As the sun set on the festivities, Oraifite glowed with pride—its people bound by faith, culture, and joy. The 2025 Iwaji Festival was more than a feast of yam; it was a reaffirmation of identity, unity, and continuity. A powerful testimony that the traditions of the ancestors continue to live on—vibrantly—in the hearts of their descendants.
