The ancient traditions of Idemili came vividly alive once again during the 2025 Iwaji (New Yam Festival) of the Eziowelle community, located in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
His Royal Highness, Igwe Mike Ugoji Okonkwo Etusi, the Owelle of Eziowelle, not only presided over the festivities but also provided profound insights into the spiritual and cultural dimensions of the event,particularly the sacred reverence for the python in Idemili land.
In an exclusive interview with our correspondent, Igwe Etusi explained that the python is far more than a reptile in Idemili culture. He said it is considered a sacred entity, woven deeply into the spiritual and cosmological fabric of the people.
“To us, the python is like a deity. It owns and dwells in the river. The people of Idemili hold it in the highest reverence. No true native dares kill or eat it,that is a sacred tradition passed down from our ancestors. Even strangers are expected to respect this belief in our land,” the monarch stated.
He recounted that in times past, if a native accidentally killed a python, elaborate burial rites were performed,complete with mourning, sacrifices, and ritual atonement, just as would be done for a human being.
“For non-natives, killing a python was considered a serious transgression,” he stated .
The only known breach of this sacred practice, he recalled, occurred during the Nigerian Civil War, when starvation forced desperate soldiers to abandon traditional taboos. Even then, he insisted, the core of Idemili’s cultural identity remained intact.
“That incident did not erase our culture. Not even the spread of Christianity has changed our reverence for the python,” the monarch said .
Beyond spirituality, Igwe Etusi used the festival to showcase the inclusive and progressive nature of the Eziowelle community.
According to him, peaceful non-indigenes who contribute positively to communal life are not only welcomed but may be honoured with chieftaincy titles or elected into leadership roles.
“Our community does not discriminate. What we value is character and respect for our customs,” he said.
Addressing the pressures of modernity and Western influence, the monarch emphasized that while civilization has its place, traditional values remain the bedrock of Igbo identity.
“Our customs predate the arrival of the colonialists and their religion. Not all traditions are bad. What’s important is to discard those that are harmful and preserve the ones that uphold our heritage,” he explained.
He expressed concern over the decline in discipline and respect among the youth, citing widespread indecent dressing and diminishing regard for traditional authority as worrying trends.
“Indecent dressing is not accepted anywhere in Igboland. Sadly, respect for leadership is no longer what it used to be,” he lamented.
The 2025 Iwaji was hailed as a great success, drawing natives from across Nigeria and the diaspora. The monarch described the festival as a moment of gratitude to God, to the ancestors, and to the land for a bountiful harvest.
“The Iwaji is celebrated throughout Igboland as a time to thank God for life, harvest, and blessings. The Igwe sets the tone, after which families and villages follow suit. Though it is not mandatory for those abroad to return, many came home this year out of love for Eziowelle,” he said.
However, the monarch frowned at the growing trend of Igbo individuals abroad adopting the title Eze Ndigbo (King of the Igbo) in foreign lands, calling it inappropriate and disrespectful to established traditional institutions.
Delving deeper into Igbo cosmology, Igwe Etusi traced the roots of Iwaji to the ancient Alomuo festival,a time for communion with ancestors and spiritual reflection.
“We believe that our dead are not gone but alive in spirit. They don’t return because they are at peace. Reincarnation, in our belief, occurs through procreation,when a child resembles an ancestor in character or appearance. A male reincarnates as a male, and a female as a female,” he explained.
Reflecting on his 33-year reign, Igwe Etusi expressed satisfaction with the rotational kingship system practiced among the five major villages of Eziowelle, which he credited with promoting harmony and unity.
“I’m fulfilled as the Igwe. Our community is making progress because there’s understanding between the throne and the people. Leadership isn’t easy, but peace makes it worthwhile,” he said.
The monarch also addressed the misconception that embracing tradition equates to idol worship. He argued that true leadership must balance faith with cultural responsibility.
“Anyone who claims to be religious but abandons our traditions is not being honest. Tradition is not idolatry. An Igwe must lead by example,uphold the law, preserve noble customs, and ensure peace. That is the only way to earn genuine respect,” he affirmed.
The Iwaji festival, marked with vibrant pageantry, traditional dances, masquerades, and communal feasting, once again reaffirmed the centrality of culture in the identity of the Eziowelle people.
It served as a powerful reminder that while modern lifestyles continue to evolve, sacred traditions such as the observance of the new yam festival,remain enduring symbols of collective identity and ancestral pride.
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