KWENU! Our culture, our future

IgboFest in America

ACHO ORABUCHI

Dallas, Texas

Thursday, August 18, 2005

On the occasion of IgboFest in Minnesota, an annual cultural festival showcasing the rich tradition and culture of the Igbo people of Nigeria organized by Umunne Cultural Association of Minnesota and co-sponsored by the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, MRAC, Financial Solutions Mortgage, Maplewood Imports, and Fidelity Bank Plc, the Igbo cultural display was debonair to say the least.

The event, which was held on the campus of Saint Thomas University in St. Paul on Saturday, August 13, 2005 witnessed about a thousand people in attendance.

Umunne Cultural Association is a non-profit volunteer organization of Igbo-speaking of Nigeria living in the State of Minnesota, whose primary goals are the enhancement of the educational and cultural well being of its members and to promote Igbo culture in Minnesota and other parts of the United States while serving the community of members’ abode.

Many communities in various cities in the United States are promoting Igbo culture and language among Nigerian-born children and most importantly, to the people of America. In Dallas recently where the Igbo Community Association of Nigeria (ICAN-DFW) honored me with the 2005 Merit Award, Dan Ofoegbu has been working diligently for over three years teaching Igbo language to our children. Dan expressed his approach to teaching the culture. He said, “The methodology that I use in transmitting the Igbo culture and language to our children includes and not limited to use of books, videos, story telling, instruction, and folk songs. With some or all of these I am able to accomplish my specific objective at each meeting.” “It is easy for me to use the knowledge of the culture that I have to educate others about Igbo culture. I was born and raised in the rural Igbo town that followed the culture to the core in its governance,” he continued.

Also, in his introduction to the Dallas/Fort Worth over the weekend, His Royal Highness, Eze Walter Ekwu, Ekebukwu 1 of Lomara Autonomous Community, Lomara-Isuochi in Umunneochi LGA, Abia State celebrated the Igbo culture in a more scintillating way that captured the mosaic of Igbo collective culture. According to Chief Sam Nwankwo, who received on my behalf “The Ekegbukwu Kingdom Award” presented to me by HRH Eze Walter Ekwu, “For the most part, it was a grandiose occasion of cultural showcase in the North America with council of chiefs playing a vital role.”

However, pulsating, effervescent, rambunctious, fillip, and a binge of coloration are the descriptors that were repeatedly harped on my mind as I watched the cultural flair of IgboFest. There was no leveling off of the crescendo of the event from start to finish.

Indeed, IgboFest was replete with cultural activities. There were several cultural performances of all ages that exhibited their skills on that fateful day. Cultural groups from Canada and New Jersey were on hand not only to entertain the crowd, but also to teach the non-Igbo something about our culture. It was the exhilarating performance of Oga Di Mma Dance Group from New Jersey led by Mike Mbagwu that captivated the crowd and sent them standing for a long time in appreciation of series of well-choreographed acts. People were salivating in admiration as they were attentively watching these dancers. I could spot the World Igbo Congress Board member, Ichie Chibuzo Onwuchekwa nodding in amazement.

Impressively, the 12^th annual IgboFest attracted people from various backgrounds. From the office of Consulate General of Nigeria in New York, Consul General, Dr. Prince ‘F. ralf Aderele represented the government of Nigeria with a keynote address. He said, “We rejoice with you today because the event we will witness depict a microsm of Nigeria in her true authentic cultural variants which go to substantiate the old unity refrain that though in tribe and tongue we may differ we are one people. We rejoice with you today, because of the success in bringing together our youths to understand and appreciate our culture. Finally, we rejoice with you today because of the crucial importance of the Fest i.e. bringing people together to care and share all what binds us together as a nation.”

“Here we are today in joy and hope celebrating all that pictorially defines us Nigerians in this summer day in the United States of America, a country adopted by most Nigerians here. As immigrants, you have benefited from the best opportunities, which America can provide. It is only normal for you for you to give back something as an expression of gratitude. This is apart from the taxes you pay annually. It is your unflinching respect for the law of your hosts, your contribution to the community development and above all, your devotion to raising your children to be good and law-abiding citizens.”

“Ladies and Gentlemen, Nigeria is undergoing not only spiritual revolution as you witness in the number of churches and mosques that dot our landscape from the North to the South and West to the East. It is also undergoing a perceptible revolution in the way we see ourselves and the way we do things.”

“The present Administration has put in place public policies geared toward making life more abundant for our people. Such policies have enjoyed international support to assist in the development efforts of the government the latest of which is the part forgiveness of the nation’s debt,” Dr. Aderele informed the audience.

While watching the activities, Aderele expressed, “I would like to see this organized on a regional basis with a grand finale in New York—the unity and diversity.”

The Head of Chancery of the Nigerian Consulate in New York, Mrs. Vivian Okeke, who accompanied the Consul-general to the occasion commended Nigerians in Minnesota for the organized manner in which they rolled out the activities.

The president of Umunne Cultural Association of Minnesota, Engr. Mike Anunike expressed gratitude to the guests and reminded them of the import of IgboFest. “Several years ago, Ndi-Igbo in Minnesota gathered to bring their efforts together to promote their culture in the Twin Cities,” he began. “IgboFest has brought and shared Igbo arts and culture all across the state to communities that might not otherwise experience Igbo cultural theatrical performances, traditional dances, masquerades, African fashion, or hear ethnic music and seasoned keynote speakers,” he continued. “IgboFest has helped art-loving inhabitants of Minnesota widen their artistic perspective to keep with today’s changing environment,” Anunike stressed. The CEO of MO Associates, Inc., an architectural design and drafting company echoed and submitted that the occasion was inviting indeed.

On the event, Chuck Chuckuemeka, a representative of Fidelity Bank, was ecstatic about the evening. “We’ve raised the bar from the standard that has already been set. The event has been internationalized and it is a big achievement to Umunne and a credit to Igbo culture,” he opined.

According to the chairman of the Planning Committee, Mr. Francis Onwualu, the event met its expectation. “It was successful; we were able to attract people from everywhere, including Canada, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, and New Jersey—we wanted to make it global and it’s happening,” he said.

On the objective of the IgboFest, he said, “It’s to share our culture with our children and Americans. My two sons performed the Bende War Dance and I liked that. IgboFest is not just for Nigerians; it’s for the Americans too.” “We also have an Igbo Language School that is open to everyone,” he continued. “It is one of the components of what we are doing here.” “To extend this, we are going to build the Igbo Cultural Center that would serve the people year round,” Onwualu concluded.

The cultural activities included the traditional breaking of Kola Nut, traditional dances and masquerades, fashion show, and art exhibitions. Most of these activities are aimed at enriching America’s knowledge of Igbo culture. Some Americans, however, have embraced Igbo culture with a striking fervor.

Mary Kiffmeyer, Minnesota Secretary of State who has attended the IgboFest on numerous occasions, continues to be elated because of the uniqueness of each event. She, however, said, “It’s a new culture; though different, but worthy of respect. Many of the things here are new to me. For instance, the kola nut—I don’t know how to eat it—chewing or biting it; I don’t know what to do without offending the culture.”

Laura Suurmeyer, a college student and a first timer to IgboFest, was thrilled about the Igbo culture. She said, “It is a community event on a beautiful day with a large turnout,” she began. “It’s sharing of culture; I’ve never been to an event like this before,” she conclude.

Jeff Brubaker, another first timer, echoed and added, “I don’t know too much about Igbo culture; most of the things I learned came from reading Things Fall Apart.” Jeff continued, “This is a chance to learn more about Igbo culture.

Cindy Mathews said that she has been attending the IgboFest regularly. “It’s interesting to give people opportunity to let other people learn different cultures.” “I learned about different dances and how meaningful they are to the culture,” she continued. “I learned about the significance of kola nut,” Cindy concluded.

Some of the attendees were Dr. Clement Onyenemzu, Elder Austin Ihiekwe, Austin Wamuo, Vincent Okonkwo, Angela Emelife, Uche Ezeagwu, Chris Obidiegwu, Tony Okafor, Obi Egwim, and Dr. Obinna Nwaneri.

The Twin Cities—Minneapolis and St Paul—are emerging as a melting pot of cultures, and Igbo is now being culturally relevant in America.