Ohafia Sets for 2026 Iriji Festival, Seeks Massive Turnout
The Ohafia ancient kingdom, one of the most populous clans in Abia State and its third biggest city is in the last lap of preparations to host this year’s Iriji fiesta.
Apparently the clan’s biggest cultural celebration, the event tagged Iriji Ohamoha, translated to the New Yam festival for all the 26-community ancestry group and their people, is scheduled for October 31, at Elu Ohafia. It promises to host people from all walks of life.
Yam is Ohafia people’s chief crop, historically symbolising wealth, social status, hard work and the abundance of food, making the farm produce to be passionately revered by the people.
During the month-end festival, HRM Ezie Awa Oji Udonsi, the Udumeze of Ohafia Ancient Kingdom and Ebiri of Elu, the clan’s pramount ruler will lead the council of Monarchs and subjects to thank God and forebears for seeing the community through the end of the old farming season upto the beginning of the new yam harvest.
The ceremony will feature traditional performances from across the 26-community clan including the thrilling Ikpirikpi Ogu – the Ohafia War Dance, the majestic Ekpe masquerade and the groovy Akpan Abia Ohiafia dance, among others.
Prince Kalu Ikpemini, President-General of the Ohiafia Improvement Union, the clan’s apex socio-cultiral organisation urged all indigenes to turn up en masse for the festivity and enjoy the thrills.
“It’s an opportunity for all residents and indigenes, home and abroad to touch base once more with our rich cultural heritage, reunite with one another, strengthen social ties and honour God for the successful harvest season,” he said in statement issued by the OIU National Publicity Secretary, Chief Emele Onu.
