THE FAMOUS ODI CULTURAL FESTIVAL IN THE ANCIENT KINGDOM OF ULI

Abstract

The paper is on the “Odi” cultural festival of the ancient Uli kingdom. This festival is a cultural celebration that is as old as the town of Uli itself. Odi festival was given its preeminence because of its cultural importance to the people of Uli. It was a traditional and cultural festival celebrated to offer thanksgiving and honour to the great goddess of Atammiri River for the protection of the lives and property of community members. “Odi” was to be celebrated once every three years in Uli. It was a week-long activity which included Ibeyi Nzu, Itipia Nzu, Igbo Ehi Atammiri, Ugaliga Nzu, Icho mma anu ahu, Iti Nmanwu an Igba egwu. Although the above activities are in Igbo language, the present paper clearly explains what each represents to the understanding of the non-Igbo people who may come across and become interested in reading it. The author chooses to write about this festival because it has not been widely given enough academic publicity it deserves. This is in fact the first attempt to write the “Odi” festival for the outside world to read. The first ever major attempt was purely written in the Igbo language, titled “EMUME IGBA ODI N’ULI NKE DI OKPURU OCHICHI IME OBODO IHIALA,” meaning in English, the celebration of Odi in Uli in Ihiala Local Government Area. This Igbo version was written by Ojimba Glady Nnenna and published in 1991 by Alvana Press Owerri, Imo state. Therefore, this English language version will be significant and relevant not only to the people of the ancient Uli but to the generality of the people who are more interested in the culture and traditions of the Nigerian people. It is very important to note that this English version is not anywhere a translation of the Igbo version but should be regarded as a well-researched paper from the author and purely virgin as nowhere in the history of Nigeria can any come across any piece written
about “Odi festival in Uli.”.