During the 2024 Oriri Anu Amurri festival, His Royal Majesty Igwe Charles Egbo Nwoye, the traditional ruler of Amurri in Enugu State, made a powerful call to the Igbo people to preserve their culture and traditions. Speaking at the event, Igwe Nwoye stressed that allowing their heritage to fade would be a mistake that future generations would never forgive.
The festival, which took place at the community’s market square, is a long-standing tradition that celebrates the harvest of yam, cocoyam, and cassava. It marks the successful farming season and honors the land’s gifts. The monarch highlighted that without their culture and traditions, the history of the people would be incomplete.
Igwe Nwoye, deeply committed to his role as a traditional leader, vowed to continue promoting and preserving Amurri’s customs. He explained that the celebration, which has been held for centuries, is a way for the community to come together and show gratitude for the land’s abundant harvest.
Dr. Peter Mbah, the Governor of Enugu State, expressed his admiration for the Amurri people’s dedication to farming. Represented by Mr. Patrick Ubru, the Commissioner for Agriculture, the governor assured the people that the state government would keep supporting agriculture to ensure food sufficiency in Enugu and the broader Southeast.
Dr. Ben Nwoye, the former chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Enugu, also spoke at the festival. He urged religious groups to embrace tolerance, reminding attendees that before the arrival of Christianity, the Amurri people followed their own spiritual practices. Nwoye encouraged Christians, Muslims, and others to respect traditional worshippers, stressing that the Amurri people’s way of worship is still meaningful to them today.
The Chief Priest of Amuri, John Njoku, also participated in the ceremony, using the occasion to thank the land for its blessings. The event highlighted the importance of unity, cultural preservation, and respect for all beliefs.
This year’s Oriri Anu Amurri festival was a reminder of the strong cultural ties that bind the people of Amurri, as they continue to honor their heritage and pass it on to future generations.
