•In Uburu, people are actively participating in and showcasing their traditional customs and practices for posterity
By Henry Umahi
One of the landmarks in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, is the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS). Designed as an ultra-modern 21st century state-of-the-art citadel of learning and research, it is a beautiful institution in terms of content and character. Someone said it looks like a postcard.
The university is, indeed, a beauty to behold. The aesthetics are enthralling just as the buildings are alluring, painted in rainbow colours, laid on a vast expanse of land. Take this: DUFUHS has a Renal Centre, where kidney issues are handled.
The Uburu community also boasts of a network of good roads and flyovers, among other facilities. But despite embracing modernity in all ramifications, Uburu remains culturally buoyant with vestiges of traditional religion.
The rich customs and traditions have passed from generation to generation and efforts are being made to preserve them. Uburu has unique festivals, drums, dances and recreational activities, among others.
In his book, “Customs and Traditions in Uburu Ome, Adu Nshiegbe Oji Mmini Akpa Aku,” Elder Aja Nwa Obasi noted: “Every community has its own cultures by which it brings up its young ones; there is no community that is without a culture. Culture is simply the totality of the ways of life of a community. Culture is not synonymous with civilization.”
Elder Obasi made a case for the codification of customs and traditions of Uburu community, explaining: “To put the culture in print helps to preserve it from decay. It also preserves it for reference, practice and transfer from generation to generation.”
One of the most significant cultural events in Uburu is Ohuneri. It is the second highest chieftaincy title in the community and it boosts the ego of the men who are bestowed the honour. Such privileged men are addressed as Osuji.
According to Osuji Chuku Nwukwa, a retired police officer, Ohuneri is essentially for people who are not integrity-challenged. It’s a practice that values integrity, honour and good character.
In other words, to be an Osuji, you must be above board. You must not be found wanting. You must not have been involved in any criminal act. Like Plato, Uburu people believe that “all the gold which is under or upon the earth is not enough to give in exchange for virtue.”
It was gathered that Ndi Osuji (College of Osujis) are generous and give back to their community. They are truthful, honest and have good character.
A culture enthusiast and community leader, Engr. Abbas Egwu, offered perspectives on the Ohuneri title as performed in Umuanum village in Enu Uburu autonomous community.
He said: “The Ohuneri title is an important traditional ceremony, which earns the title holder the name, Osuji.
“It is a traditional belief that the gods of the land usually enhance farm yields if male farmers constantly sacrifice to the gods. In the case of Ohuneri, it is aimed at sacrificing to the gods of yam, to enhance yam cultivation and to place title holders as superior in the community.
“Ohuneri is performed by the males in the community. It is not restricted to any age group as male youths may be sponsored by parents to perform the Ohuneri title ceremony. It is a lifetime title but can be inherited by any male family member when an Osuji dies.”
He said that the requirements for performing the Ohuneri title include: title cash (varies with village), ego oku (varies with village), one ram (must be healthy and preferably white), tubers of yam, four fowls (one must be white cock), nja (clay bowl), kola nuts, palm wine, hot drinks, beer, dried fish and meat (preferably utakwu and aka ewu).
Explaining the procedure, Egwu said: “All the above items are brought before title holders who will gather at the compound of the prospective Osuji. After inspection and confirmation of the items, the most senior Osuji will announce the readiness of the individual to be initiated as tradition stipulates.
“There are two sacred sites where the ceremony will be held. The sites are Njoku ji and Oba ji. The Njoku ji is located at the right hand side of the compound while the Oba ji (yam barn) is located at the rear of the compound.
“The most senior Osuji proceeds with the initiation in the presence of others, first by offering prayers to the gods at the position where the Njoku ji will be established. The prospective Osuji and his wife/wives will kneel while prayers are offered. At the end of the prayer, the most senior Osuji proceeds to open the Njoku ji with a hoe. He slaughters the ram and two fowls at the sacred site of Njoku ji.
“Prayers are offered with kola nut and palm wine. He proceeds to the Oba ji (yam barn), which is the second sacred site, to offer further prayers and to install the Nja oba, after which two fowls will be slaughtered.
“On completion, four yams are loaded into a basket and the new Osuji, having been properly initiated, is assisted to lift the basket onto his head.
“Singing and dancing to various title songs like ‘nnadi awaji, onye gburu ebuna gwaa ji,’ etc., will commence. The title holders will end the ceremony with the sharing of all the items.
Some items are taken home, while some are instantly consumed at the venue of the event.
“This process of initiating an Osuji is the same for the following titles: Ohuneri, Ohunuji and Oguabi. However, the items required for each may slightly differ.”
A few days ago, an illustrious son of Uburu community, Amb. Akachi George Obasi, was installed as Osuji in grand style. It was a convivial atmosphere as Ndi Osuji, friends and associates gathered to celebrate with Obasi.
At the event, the cultural buoyancy of the community was on parade. It was a cultural spectacle of feasting and dancing, even as everyone adorned resplendent traditional attire.
Osuji Obasi, who has been garlanded severally, expressed appreciation at the honour.
He said: “I must first of all thank my people, the good people of Umuanum village in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, who found me worthy of receiving the highly exalted Osuji title. Osuji title is awarded to any son of the community who has completed the Ohuneri rites/ceremony.
“It also involves the opening of Njoku ji and Oba ji, which shows appreciation to the gods for a bountiful harvest and also asking them for a more fruitful harvest in the coming farming season. I feel very elated about the title as it embodies the richness of our culture and tradition.
“I’m particularly excited as it shows the youths are getting more involved with the culture of the land. A people without culture lacks identity and life is meaningless without your identity.”
Speaking about the ceremony, Osuji Chimezie Obasi said the honour was well deserved. He said: “The Osuji title recently conferred on Amb. Elder Akachi was well-deserved. As an illustrious son of Umuanum Uburu, people respect and admire him. So this Osuji title will definitely make him more famous among our kinsmen.
“This Osuji title is well-respected in Uburu culture and tradition. His grandfather was Osuji and his father was Osuji too. In Uburu, people conferred with Osuji title are well-respected, famous and highly admired.”