Umueriland Today

The Igbo tribe in western africa with a region in eastern nigeria has arguably one of the best cultural heritage in Africa, and today, I bring you the mighty Masquerade. "Ijele" 1. Studies have shown that the Ijele masquerade has its roots from the Akunechenyi dance group from Umudiani in Umueri communitie in Anambra State. 2. Available resources also show that the original idea for the masquerade is to celebrate royalty and greatness in Igboland. 3. It is regarded as the biggest masquerade in sub-Saharan Africa. 4. It stands at between 12ft-15ft. 5. It was listed in the UNESCO Archives as an intangible cultural element in need of urgent safeguarding. 6. It is believed that in the olden days, 45 other masquerades performed on top of the Ijele (signifying its kingship above all other eastern masquerades). These masquerades are represented today by 45 figurines on top of the Ijele. 7. It takes about a hundred men to put the Ijele costume in order.

Aguleri a construction site while Umueri her neighbour is a dumping site! BACKGROUND: It is not news that Otuocha is historically occupied by Umueri and Aguleri as two predominant communities. It is also not news that Otuocha as it is known today, is the headquarters of Anambra East LGA, hence her political symbolism. It is important to also note going forward, that Anambra East being one of the 7 LGA that make up the Anambra North geopolitical zone became a beneficiary of the agitation for power shift to the zone. And by Providence, the mantle of leadership fell in the hands of someone from Aguleri, one of the Towns in Anambra East Local Government Area and Omambla region as a matter of heritage. Having highlighted the above without any ambiguity, it is therefore pertinent and very logical to state; that every community within these area should as a matter of fairy share be partakers of the dividends of good governance, which includes but not limited to

MTN NIGERIA SPONSORS UMUERI OFALA FESTIVAL 2019 Arrangements have been set in motion for the 2019 Ofala of Igwe Umueri, His Majesty, Igwe Bennett Izuchukwu Emeka, Okebo II. Rooted in the mood of celebration, the Ofala is the highpoint of the Umueri yearly ceremonial cycle. It is p rimarily a celebration by the monarch and his subjects to mark the monarch’s annual emergence from seclusion, during which period he has successfully negotiated the fortunes of the kingdom. The Ofala also marks the homecoming of Umueri indigenes. The network transformation leader, MTN Nig, will be the official sponsor of the Ofala this year 2019. MTN Nig  partnership with the organisers of the festival this year will help enormously in projecting the Ofala. The actual Ofala which is a display of royal dances, tributes, parades and music running over two days, will take place on December 27th and 28th. The scope of the festival has been widened, with various events now part of the celebrations.

3rd Ovalla festival of Igwe Bennett Izuchukwu Emeka Okebo 11 of Umueri. Comes up on 28th day of December 2019. All roads leads to Umueri on that day. Umueriland Today will be on ground to streamline and update you with bit by bit activities as it goes.