From Felix Ikem, Nsukka
Nsukka Asadu, consisting of nine autonomous communities in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, has a new Igbo Traditional Event Calendar and Dating System.
The State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi applauded the brain behind it, Mr. Chiokwuyo Ezikeanyi, saying the invention will help in promoting Igbo cultures and traditions.
He spoke at the presentation and launching of the traditional event calendar and dating system in Nsukka.
The autonomous communities in Nsukka Town are; Nguru Nsukka, Nru, Owere, Nkunano, Ezema/Edem, Ihe, Echara, Umuoyo, and Umakashi.
The town unanimously adopted the traditional calendar and had it produced to reflect the dates and months of their traditional events and ceremonies.
Represented by Ugonna Ibe, Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Ugwuanyi said it was a milestone in preserving Igbo cultures and heritage, stressing that it would help the present generation know the dates of cultural events and their significance in Igbo communities: “This cultural calendar is commendable as it will enable the people to know not only the dates of events but as well as the significance of such cultural events.
“I commend the inventor for his passion for promoting Igbo cultures and traditions, as well as Nsukka Town for adopting the traditional calendar.
“The state government will give him necessary support so that he can help other communities in the state to develop their traditional calendar.”
He urged other communities in the state to emulate Nsukka Town by producing their traditional calendar that would reflect the dates of their traditional and cultural activities.
President General, Nsukka Town Union, Chief Joseph Onyeke, said that the traditional event and Igbo dating system calendar was the first of its kind in the history of their people: “We are here today to witness the maiden launching of Nsukka Asadu traditional event, festival, ceremonies and dating system packaged in a calendar form. The calendar is the first of its kind in the history of Nsukka Town and the Igbo nation in general.
“This project was borne out of many years of undocumented rich cultural practice of Nsukka Town, the calendar will help our people know dates of our cultural events, and thier significance as well as serve as a fall back to generations unborn.
“The calendar system is scientific and could be used to forecast the exact year-ahead for Nsukka Town’s traditional events/feast. It is believed that yearly traditional calendar and dates of any events in Nsukka town shall henceforth be done using the prototype launched today.”
Inventor of the cultural calendar, Ezikeanyi, said that he first published the calendar in 2014 and had since then made it an annual publication: “My target is to ensure that Igbo people have a unifying calendar and dating system that will reflect the days and time of our cultural events and ceremonies, create Igbo traditional dating system and ensure that Igbo people have alternative dating system from the conventional calendar.
“I want every community in Igbo land to have this calendar designed according to their cultural native events. It will help them to know the specific date of all traditional events of the year.”
The graduate of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Department of Adult Education/Administration, however, appealed to the Enugu State Government, corporate organizations and philanthropists for sponsorship to enable him to do more in promoting Igbo cultures and traditions.
The occasion which held at Ugwuorie Primary School Field, Nsukka also featured traditional wrestling, cultural dances, masquerade display, ‘Ihu-Ji’ (roasting of new yam), among others.
An eminent son of the town, Chief Sam Onyishi, Chief Executive Officer of Peace Mass Transit, chaired the event with Chairman of Nsukka L.G.A, Walter Ozioko also in attendance.