It's already 3 am and the party is just getting started. We have danced our legs out and there is no tiring for us. My cousin is an initiate in one of the community's rich cultural celebration known as "Iwa Akwa". The celebration starts a day to the deal day. There is music, gathering of people, food, drinks, dancing and excitement starting from 6 pm till the next day. This day, we take the celebration to the main market square.
For many that don't know what " Iwa Akwa" is, let's have a brief look at what its all about.
What is Iwa Akwa?
“IWA- AKWA” is an adult initiation ceremony that originated from Obowo Local Government of Imo State, Nigeria. It is one of the rich cultural heritage of the people of Obowo, Ehime Mbano, Ihitte/Uboma, part of Mbaise and Orlu of Igbo Land in Nigeria. The ceremony Is celebrated in other areas mentioned above due to their proximity to Obowo. Iwa Akwa is celebrated every 3 years and marks the age and celebration of the initiation into manhood of a particular age grade.
The initiation ceremony is mainly for the males in the community who has attained 26 to 30 years, but interested females of the same age grade are allowed to participate. After the ceremony members of the particular age grade are introduced into community responsibilities such as paying taxes and levies and partaking in communal deliberations and decision making.
Age Grade system and Iwa
The age grading is a prominent part of the Igbo community as almost every activity is centred around age grade. Its prominence made Iwa-Akwa the most celebrated festival in the entire Obowo community. Every male child of Obowo looks forward to this adult initiation ceremony as well as becoming part of an age grade. Every Obowo male is easily identified via his age-grade.
Celebrated every 3 years in most communities, Iwa Akwa age grade is comprised of males within 3 years range. For example, all-male born from the year 1990 to 1992 (that is from 28 to 30 years of age).
Every age-grade in any community has a name. In some communities, each age grade picks their name whereas in others the age-grade name is given by their immediate senior.
Preparation Stage
After the last age grade has had their Iwa Akwa ceremony, the next age grade (immediate junior) will commence preparation for when it's time to be initiated, recognizing and respecting their elder age-grade while doing that. It takes about three years to prepare for the next Iwa Akwa, but before that, they go through a process called " Ido ebiri" where the participants are enlisted into an age group prior years before their Iwa Akwa. With this, they know the people in their group, this helps them prepare and plan together for their Iwa Akwa.
Within the three years, and mostly few months to the Iwa Akwa, the initiates would perform the ‘Ishi Nri Iwa-Akwa’. This is a little celebration intended to notify their immediate kindred, family members and the community that they belong to the group and would participate in the upcoming Iwa Akwa Ceremony. As the Iwa Akwa ceremony approaches, the immediate seniors will help prepare and guide them until their Iwa Akwa ceremony takes place.
Market Square Display
The Market square display is the main event. This signals the end of the 3-year Iwa Akwa preparation and it involves a cultural display of all the participants for the year in the main market square of the community. They come out wearing elegant long woven wrapper customs.
Prior to the time set to proceed to the main market-square for their display, the senior age grade sends delegates to visit each compound and undertake the dressing of the initiates for the event. The market square display is well organized, the initiates performing the ceremony enters a ring created for the event while the restwatch from the side. The initiates move and dance in a single line within the ring with their juniors (the next Iwa Akwa group) dancing in front of them dressed in customized uniform. Sometimes, the initiates would display hesitation to keep moving and would be carried shoulder high by the seniors. In some communities, both the candidates, their immediate families and friends enter the ring with them. This makes it difficult for visitors to identify the real Iwa-Akwa initiates.
Final Thoughts
The significance of the age grade system of identification has made the Iwa Akwa ceremony the most celebrated among the Obowo community. And every male child of the community anticipates this ceremony and looks forward to the when it will be their turn. The Iwa Akwa year has always been the best of every three years, as it brings most families of the community, far and near back home to join in the celebration. The ceremony is purely social and carries no fetish or spiritual implication.
Did you also do that or you're not of age yet?