BY EDDIE ONUZURUIKE

People who had fears of the fast dwindling culture of the Igbo person were reassured and consoled on Friday 7th, October at Umuafai, Ndume, two kilometers away from the city centre.

Further, the subject of cultural renaissance became more authentic when many learnt that the royal visitation was a descendant and son of Nri, the celebrated birth place of the Igbos.

The spectacle of the day acquired more complexity when it inched closer to the description of the elephant by some blind men who saw the elephant from many angles depending on where they touched. This subsequently informed their opinions.

His crafted horse did not make things easier as some knowledgeable few were reminded of the Trojan horse, but the events that unfolded later proved the skeptics wrong.

The Igwe of Enugugwu and Umunri, Chukwudigbo Agwuna and his cabinet members

Pa Ben Ezinwa Emezue, a retiree and senior citizen who was full of surprises and a lot of admiration from the youth, continued thrilling even in death. His burial went on according to well structured and executed plans by his proud son, Mr. Francis Emezue.

In the morning of October 7th 2011, many Umuafai youths thronged the city gate Mortuary in Aba road for his final journey. At the age of 85, people were more than eager to pay him the last respect without sparing anything.

Nature was kinder as the sun occupied the sky without interregnum from the rains which have operated uninterruptedly this season, putting the fears of flooding into the psyches of some areas like Lagos, Ibadan and Abeokuta, placing them into frequent consultation with NEMA, the National Emergency Management Agency of this country.

There were cultural dances, a gospel band and a-cappella groups. The Ohafia war dancers whose breasts trembled like jellies to the rhythm of chanting songs and their acrobats took advantage of the slightest opportunity and showcased ample cultural heritage.

In spite of the ban on the public use of knives, many youths swore to pay their last respects with full regalia and they did, throwing their machetes in the air in an excessive saber-rattling gesture.

Food and drinks were available and waiting to be served. It was lots of efforts calming the people to wait till after the commendation services that took place in the narrow village square of Ndi Ikanu, a little put away from the mansion where the VIP guests most of who came from Lagos and Abuja were waiting.

Before people could say Amen, steamy, delicious, local, continental, ancient and modern meals were dished from different directions. These were expected as the chief mourner affably called Franco was a man who prided himself to a near perfect hosting. Midway into the reception about 2:30 pm, there was a mild stir in the arena that stole the show from the band, dancers and entertainers who competed for notice.

The spectacular entrant was a royal spectacle that would have made Emperor Bokassa of Central African Republic and Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire, present DR Congo, all put together, green with envy. His steps were measured in a march to the rhythm of high caliber cultural entrée.

Some of his cabinet members, highly festooned with ornaments were in front, side, and behind. A trumpeter with a long ivory tusk, big enough to belong to an elephant blazoned the royal approach.

The royal personality wore a tall flowing blue gown that smacked of rare Adire, but to a few wise ones especially the elderly men who are used to the fabric and women, who handle the laundering for their invested husbands, knew for sure what it was- a rear batik, Okonko and Ekpe Prints that were brought out only ceremonially.

A big horse, the biggest I have ever seen in my life trailed in with human foot in front and back. It was cradled in front with a man clad in white, looking more like a mystic. A special seating arrangement was hushed and the Igwe sat with his cabinet members and courtiers. He was thrilled with entertainers as he sat resplendent in the leopard skin that occupied his left shoulder like a Zulu warrior.

It was royalty at its best, cultural revival and perfect rites of passage all in one. A woman in the crowd made a statement that made me remember the Taj Mahal “I wouldn’t be afraid of death if my children could do this for me.’ Wishes are wishes and reality is reality.

The Igwe of Enugugwu and Umunri, his serene highness, Chukwudigbo Agwuna son of Osita Agwuna, who is said to be on a long journey took off as the sun changed direction and he had a two hour journey back to his serene kingdom

Why serene highness you will wonder? In the tradition of the Nri people, the transition of the monarchs are hushed and swamped in innuendos, therefore a heir apparent is addressed as serene Highness while the long journey may be an irreversible one.