Nri is regarded as the cultural center and sacred home of Igbo nation. The history of the Igbo nation cannot be complete without Nri at the fore front.
Before the advent of the white-man, Nriifikwuanim the first son of Eri who took after his father became a high priest among his people. He left Eriaka his homestead now assimilated in Aguleri in search of a better living place promised to him by Chukwuokike just as he did to Abraham. He settled at the present Nri kingdom and started doing what Eri did at Egypt.
EzeNri instilled litany of legacies on Ndịgbo which include market days Eke, Oye, Afor and Nkwo with their originating shrines in Nri. The act of trading was introduced in Igbo land by EzeNri through the exchange of goods and later cowry as a medium of exchange which the colonialists later replaced with pounds, shillings and pence.
EzeNri introduced yam, cocoyam and other crops as food in Igbo agricultural cycle in keeping with the custom and tradition of total obedience to Chukwuokikeabiama. EzeNri in his capacity as the high priest of Sungod, sacrificed his son, yam sprouted from his grave and matured. EzeNri was then directed to feed Ndigbo with it. This act was ritualized in ifejioku cult which protects the yam. This is referred to as “Nri Myth of Origin’’.
EzeNri instituted Ozo title with Nri priests going to different Igbo communities under Nri influence and perform the initiation and rituals of Ozo title. Eze Nri also introduced age grade system, protection of human sanctity, government of non-violence, traditional worship through the original spirituality and finally lunar calendar which regulates the Igbo annual socio-cultural life. Iguaro Ndigbo or proclamation of Igbo lunar calendar is sole prerogative of EzeNri being the custodian of Igbo culture and tradition and the keeper of Ofo Ndigbo in Igbo ancestral homeland Nri. Iguaro is based on 13 lunar month.
Igbo New Year Starts in February, same as Chinese, Asia, Israel etc. These cultures use moon to determine their seasons and time. During the proclamation of Igbo New Year, EzeNri ushers in the beginning of Igbo planting season. On this day EzeNri distributes yam seedlings baked with anti pest to Ndigbo for planting. Iguaro is not idol worship but and aged long revered Igbo culture under the custody of EzeNri which is used to thank God for the past year and asking for his divine protection and bumper harvest and good health in the New Year.
The yam seedlings distributed on Iguaro day, if planted will be ready for harvesting within the eight month -Onwaasato of the lunar year. By then all will converge again at the EzeNri palace for first fruit harvest that is thanking God for bumper harvest and giving back to Chukwuokike the first fruit from the farm. This is known as Onwaasato or New Yam festival in Odinani Nri.
The Nri’s were great innovators in rituals diplomacy, economy, administration and management of a segmented and decentralized culture.
Nri elders had clear knowledge of the stars and others which help them calculate the intervals between each lunar period and finding their directions during their sojourn from one Igbo village to another.
In era of cultural re-awakening, Ndigbo let us give some pride of place and honour to Iguaro Ndigbo which is the oldest culture in Nigeria. After Iguaro, approximately within four days that is one native week but certainly not more than three native weeks that is izuato, the first rainfall is witnessed which signals planting season.
His Majesty, Eze Nri Obidegwu Onyesoh, Nrienwelana the second, through the Regent Prince Ikenna Okechukwu Onyesoh (Idebuteaku Na-Nri) will tomorrow, Saturday (Orie), 17th February 2024 proclaim the 1025th Iguaro Ndigbo at the EzeNri palace ground Nri, Anocha Local Government Area of Anambra state.
His New Year prayers for the Igbo nation is peace, good health, prosperity, bumper harvest for Ndigbo and Nigerians and that we always seek the mind of Chukwuokike in all our actions.
Once again you are welcome to Nri the heartbeat of Igbo nation, the citadel of Igbo culture and tradition, the ancestral homeland of Igbo nation where Ofo Ndigbo and Iguaro Ndigbo is domiciled.
Nri remains Nri. God bless you as you come!
Written by ROBISON IBEKWE
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