annually to mark the harvest of new yam
in Aro. Aro celebrate the festival in the
month of September, at times the
celebration crows into early months
of October. The end of Ikeji does not mark the
beginning of another farming season, as it
opens a recess that leads into dry season
(okochi) , when the soil becomes hard and
already harvested yams are stored in the barn,
the time is known as onwa ato izu ike Aro.
The significance and traditional activities which
accompanies the Ikeji festival that makes Ikeji
Aro glamorous and unique in Igbo land are
“Ikeji” categorically means harvesting of yam,
which is a significant food crop among the
Igbo people…it also marks the end of the year.
That is why it is characterized by general
grand event by people and sacrifices to
Chukwu (God) for good and quality harvest.
Pilgrimage is made to the Aro homeland by the
Aro in the Diaspora serving as re-union
between the two. In the past, this re-union
served as an opportunity for reviewing the
conditions of Aro in the Diaspora and for re-
examining the strength of Aro influence and
authority in the various Aro settlements; The
Ikeji season afforded the Aro an opportunity for
planning strategies for the continued growth
and development of the Aro at various
settlements. Authorization for the eating of the
new yam is given by the Eze Aro. Until the Eze
Aro makes the appropriate proclamation, new
yam is not eaten by the Aro nation; Ikeji was
an occasion for trooping the colors. A display
of masquerades is held. The various Aro
settlements send in their dances and
masquerades to perform in this most colourful
carnival at the Amaikpe arena.
Unique Traditional Activities of Ikeji Aro
AFOR OKPO NA-ZA AWADA
Ikeji commences on Afor Osu day. On that day,
members of the Otusi (clan) of Amata sweep
the Awada (ancestral temple) of Akuma Nna
Ubi at Ugwuakuma village.
AFOR ARO NA-ZA AWADA
Members of the Otusi (clan) of the Amaja
sweep the Awada of Okennachi at Oror village.
Only the Amadi (Aristocrates) of Aro witness
the occasion. The attendants come tying bells
on their waist and carrying gongs, both
instruments producing resonant sounds.
AFOR NDULASA NWAEKPE
Nwa Ekpe literally ‘the child of Ekpe’ (different
from the secret cult Ékpé) but in fact
a symbolic representation of the royal
ancestors is led home. All nine Otusis (clans)
in Aro go to Ugwuakuma village in different
processions to offer sacrifice, people tying
bells around their waists while carrying gongs
on hand. The ceremony ends at night and
people return singing joyfully. On their return
from Ugwuakuma, the talking drums (uvie) is
brought down from where they had been left
hanging since after the last Ikeji celebrations,
rolled out and played. The uvie sounds only in
the compounds of the most outstanding men
of each village. The uvie is not usually brought
down in a compound that is not ready with the
relevant sacrificial materials. The sounding of
the uvie is indicative that the Ikeji celebration
has gone into full gear.
NKWO NKU
Nkwo Nku is the day following the Afor on
which Nwa Ekpe is led home. It is a day on
which women are expected to fetch firewood
for their husband’s mother, their mistresses or
close friends. The wood is meant for cooking
while the Ikeji season lasts. It is indeed a
friendly gesture of love and respect for elders.
EKE AGBA UDU
On this day, the Amadi (Aristocrates) of Amuze
section of the Aro kingdom offer sacrifice,
Ibom Isii do not. The day is marked with
unrestricted festivities. The Amadi move around
and are feted wherever they enter.
ORIE AWA
Fodder is obtained for the feeding of goats etc,
while more firewood is fetched. Compounds
and village squares are cleaned up to welcome
Aro from the Diaspora.
AFOR AWA
By this day, all Aro coming from abroad are
expected to have arrived Aro. Cleaning up
activities are rounded up. Everyone is in full
holiday mood – men, women and children look
spick-and-span. People are not expected to go
to work i.e farm. Women spend time in body
painting (ide uri and ide – nkasi ani) which are
traditional indigo cosmetic designs on the body,
which is kept bare for the cosmetic designs to
be seen and admired. Today however, times
have changed as women now prefer to put on
beautiful clothing and some of these old
traditional outfits are reserved for mgbede
brides.
NKWO NZUKORO
On this day, Aro are expected to do the last
shopping for the season. Although Ikeji is
a yam festival, the eating of other foods has
been introduced in recent times on this
day which on this account is also known as
Afia Nkwo. Nkwo Nzukoro, the Aro main
market, Ncheghe, and the Eke Ukwu market, go
on recess.
EKE ODU
On this day, the Ututu people bring yams for
the Aro to buy. The Aro eat new yam on this
day. All market activities are concentrated at
Amaikpe in Obinkita village for, as we observed
earlier, after Nkwo Nzukoro, the Ncheghe and
Eke Ukwu markets go on recess.
ORIE EGBUGBU
Early in the morning of this day, a succulent
plant known as OKPOTO is placed at the
entrance of each onu nkpu (compound). The
most elderly Amadi of the compound offers a
sacrifice before the arrival of dawn. Thereafter,
at about 7.00 a.m., every family offer sacrifice
to its ancestors at the family ulo nta, literally
small house but an ancestral assembly hall
where the family staff of office is reposed.
Chicken and cows are sacrificed. Compounds
that can afford it hire the Ututu to play Okon
and Igeri music. People are expected to tether
their domestic animals to prevent them
(especially goats and dogs) from tasting the
ofor left at the ulo nta. Any animal found
tasting the ofor would be killed instantly. In
the evening, families begin to cook an Ikeji
delicacy called osu. This delicacy is only
prepared by women of proven purity and
decency in manners and behaviour although
their aboriginal status carries more weight. The
end of the cooking is heralded with gun shots,
each gunshot representing each goat used for
the meal.
AFOR OSU
The osu meal prepared the previous day is now
presented to friends and well-wishers on the
Afor osu morning by women. Visitors are also
entertained with the delicacy. Members of each
family are summoned to the osu meal by the
exclamation AFOR OSU OKO-O! The word Okoo
is an exclamation used by the Aro to signal an
emergency.
NKWO IBOM-ISII
On this day, Ikeji activities are centered in and
around the Ibom village as the day’s activities
purely concern Ibom Isii; Plays and wrestling
matches are staged with people demonstrating
their skills in dancing and arts. Other Aro
attend as Ibom Isii guests. Girls show their
beauty in true or high quality maidenhood,
while women dress and dance to suit the taste
and style of their village dances as they move
and pass in waves of merriment before the Eze
Aro and his cabinet sitting in majestic appraisal
in Ibom square.
EKE EKPE AROCHUKWU
This is the climax of the Ikeji festival when the
Aro at home and in the Diaspora put on their
best attire, assemble in the ceremonial arena
at Amaikpe in their separate groups, with
dances and masquerades, to make merry and
celebrate with fanfare, pomp and pageantry.
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