By Omenihu Alfred fibmn
It was celebration galore as the entire members of Mbaise Unity Brothers gathered in company of few Eze jis, Ndi Nze and chiefs at number 10 Sule Shaedo street, off Isolo road Mushin, Lagos to celebrate New yam festival (Iri Ji Mbaise) in an opulent and lavish style. In his opening remark the president of the brotherhood Mazi Godfrey Odigomma warmly welcomed everyone for making out time to attend and prayed the good Lord to protect them, their businesses and families. Going forward, he said that Iri Ji is a very notable festival associated with Mbaise people in Imo state and this festival and it’s evolving development was handed to the people by oral tradition and it has continued to be transferred from generation to generation.
In his speech, the chairman of the occasion Chief Magnus Ekeobashi welcomed, ndi Mbaise, ndi Ezeji, Ndi Nze na Ozo, members of Mbaise Unity brothers and the guests who came from every nook and crannies of the world to grace the phenomenal festival. “Today is Mbaise’s new yam festival all over the world, hence it is happening everywhere today” he said. He further noted that Mbaise Unity brothers has never joked with this festival but this year is more transcendental hence he appreciated all of who assisted to make it happen. He prayed for God’s blessings and protection on all Mbaise sons and daughters everywhere in the world.
Presenting the Kolanut, the distinguished Chairman expressed his excitement on the healthy growth of Mbaise Unity brothers. He however, beaconed on elder Chief Jeo, omeudo of Amasaa to bless the kolanut. Chief Joe called on God, Mbaise ancestors, the four market days, to release blessings upon all the sons and daughters of Mbaise. He prayed for open doors, good health and better tomorrow for all. At the end every one responded Iseeee!
Continuing, the vibrant chairman of the occasion Chief Magnus Ekeobashi recognized the three local government areas of Mbaise in their order of time of creation as tradition demands and summoned any of their worthy sons to pick Kolanuts for them. Mazi Uchenna Ogueri received Kolanut on behalf of Aboh Mbaise local government, Mazi Joechin Abaraonye picked Kolanut on behalf of Ahiazu local government while Chief Emmanuel Ejiogu, Aku ruo Ulo 1 of Mbaise picked Kolanut on behalf of Ezinihitte.
Moving forward during the ceremonial slicing of the king of all crops, ( iwa ji) the chairman of the occasion who doubles as Ezeji summoned other Ezejis ( king of yam tiltle holders) to join him in performing the major ritual of the day. They jointly blessed the day, guests, ndi Mbaise, and prayed for good health, prosperity and goodwill on all that will eat the yam and everyone echoed again Iseeeeee!.
It might please you to know that the sustainablity of this great iri ji festival has gone a long way in strengthening and encouraging the cultivation of yam and other crops because anyone who didn’t work hard will definitely go hungry. Thus this festival comes as a reward for hard work and a way of encouraging lazy people to farm with vigor. Again, the king of Yam title holders (ndi Eze Ji) will always intensify efforts to increase the size of their yam bans while the prospective ones will be working hard to join the league. However, farming is a great source of income in Mbaise land, and the number of yam bans suggests how rich a person is in those days. This could be the sole reason our ancestors had to marry many wives to help in cultivating more crops.
In another development, the name ‘Mbaise’; historically was derived from five clans, which, comprises of Agbaja, Ahiara, Ekwerazu, Ezinihitte, and Oke Ovoro. Mbaise as a big landscape covers three Local Government Areas, Aboh Mbaise, Ahiazu Mbaise, and Ezinihitte Mbaise. The Mbaise Slogan is Seat of Sages and the region spans an area of about 170 square miles with a population of more than 1.5 million people. Mbaise’ came into being as a federated unit of the five mentioned clans in June 1941 when Mr Jamike Iwunna from Amaohuru Nguru gave the name after putting together the five clans.
