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Itu, mbaise-in lush cultural heart of Mbaise, a thunder of tradition roar over the rhombus of politics like ndi ezeji mbaise-the ancestral custodians of the spirituality of Yam-Raculiati in Itu, ezinihitte Mbaise LGA, to illuminate the sacred torch for the Iri-ji mbaise 2025, the nephew of the south-east.
With ceremonial solemnity and ancestral authority, ignore priests – known as Ezeji – they clarified him: their role in the festival is not symbolic, but sacred.
> “We are not guests. We are the soul of Iri-Ji Mbaise. It is our ancestral duty, not of political charity”,
-Ezeji Dr. Kachi Nwoga, coordinator of the IRI-JI ceremonies and the president, central planning committee.
A tradition beyond time
The bold pronunciation of Ezeji Nwoga arrived during a fundamental fundamental commitment with the president of the LGA guest, the chinedum nwachukwu head of Ezinihitte, where he reaffirmed that Iri-ji-oltre the fanfare-a spiritual alliance with Yaweh-Aiajoku, the divine driver of the harvest.
The ceremony, observed in all 94 autonomous communities of Mbaise – and reflected by their relationship in Ngwa, Ngor Okpala and parts of the state of spinners – marks a thanksgiving ritual before tasting the new distance wing. It is an older ritual of memory and binds through generations.
A crossroads festival
Yet, under the vibrant cultural sphere, a fierce struggle cleared. Ndi Ezeji has expressed growing concern for the attempts of political circles and elite to put their sacred role for a long time in favor of more “modern” or politically appropriate structures.
Ezeji Nwoga complained that some cultural associations began to reshape the festival in a “popularity competition”, replacing the ancestral order with a cosmetic charm.
> “The burden has fallen exclusively on us in recent years. We must restore dignity and unity – or risk cultural erosion,” he warned.
A crack tense with Ezuruezu
Tensions have also reached the boiling point on a thorough rift between NDI Ezeji and Ezuruezu Mbaise-A corpio socio-political umbrella accused of trying to divert the planning of the Festival and rename it as “Mbaise Cultural Day”.
In Fiery Observaks, Ezeji Dr. Bar. Anamelechi Aguwa has condemned the parallel planning initiative and the clash of the date of August 15 as a distortion of cultural truth.
> “Ezuruezu Mbaise cannot organize an event that they have not inherited. They must return to Eke Nguru – our sacred headquarters – and make peace before talking about the festival,” said Aguwa.
The ignore priests insisted that all legitimate planning must flow through Eke Nguru, the ancestral epicenter of the tradition of ignore of Mbaise’s people.
National recognition, local abandonment
While Iri-ji Mbaise was once recognized as a national festival by the former Minister of Culture and Tourism, the head Edem Duke, complete with a desk officer designated at the federal level, his funding and his visibility have decreased.
The interested parties of the Festival complained that despite its potential as a magnet for cultural tourism and heritage education, Iri-ji evidently remains absent from state and national cultural budgets-a reflection, support, of the wider marginalization of the practices of the south-eastern heritage.
A promise of unity
In response, the head of the president of the LGA of Ezinihitte Nwachukwu assured the priests of ignore the commitment of his administration to honor tradition.
He has undertaken to convene joint advice with the presidents of Abhoh and Adiazu Lgas – respectively the head Iheukwpepere Alaribe and the chief Larry Chikwe – to ensure that the 2025 festival edition remains united, authentic and spiritually landed on the ground.
His entourage, which included the Hon. UZOCHUKWU NJOKU, special councilor on political issues, and Mr. Chris Ekpe, secretary of the LGA, listened carefully while the priests of ignore expose expectations of transparency, inclusion and respect for ancestral rites.
Voices of the custodians
The meeting presented a call from the respected elderly Ezeji:
Ezeji Dandy Obani (Vice President), Ezeji Rock Emereole, Ezeji Nze Ikwu, Ezeji Benco Nwaiwu, Ezeji Linus Nwachukwu (Financial Secretary), Ezeji Gerald Okonko, Ezeji Titus Nnadozie, Ezeji Nwachinemere, Ezeji Fabian Imo Imo Okoronkwo, and anicetus chidozie ogu (pro).
Resolutions behind closed doors with the Council of Ezinihitte of traditional sovereigns, chaired by Ezeji Osita Nwokocha, followed. Sources say that the elderly emerged visibly satisfied with the progress towards the protection of the sacred nucleus of the Festival.
The road to August 15th
While the plans take shape, the message of Ndi Ezeji is clear: IRI-JI Mbaise is not for passive observation-a call to cultural supervision is.
> “IRI-JI is not just a festival. It is our identity. If we lose it, we lose ourselves”,
– Ezeji Dandy Obani, vice president, ndi Ezeji.
While Ezinihitte is preparing to host the 2025 edition, Mbaise is at a cultural crossroads. The question now is not only what will be celebrated, but as – and by whom.
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