ICHU ONWU
One of the forgotten Ebe Festivals is Ichú Onwú. According to Daniel M. Agubuchiẹ́,:
“It is a biannual feast which is observed during the month of June. Men do not play any part in the feast. However, it is a day of rest for everybody in the town.
As the name implies too, it is a period of driving or chasing death out of Ebe town into oblivion. Only adult married women do this. These women collect the broom like branches of a shrub called “Nzashi”, (local name) for the great task.
At 8.00 a.m. in the morning, a signal is given either vocally or with a wooden gong. All the women respond happily and vibrantly in readiness for the great task. Only very strong women take part. At another signal each woman with the collected canes try to chase or drive death from all the corners of the rooms in the houses. As they do this, the women shout loudly, Onwú naaa, Onwú naaa, Onwú naaaaoh Death go!, Let death go! Death Goooo! Death Goooo! From the compound, they continue the meandering path ways that converge at the main street that leads into the town’s main arena which is in the outskirts of the town, where all the women assemble in the villages.
After death has been chased out, all the materials used are collected and thrown into a dangerous forest which is meant for it. In those days nobody entered the forest either to farm or collect firewood. It is not so today.
The old women had to wait at the meeting point until the strong women returned chanting songs of victory. The old women now join them in their music and dance for about one hour.
This was a period of cleansing, sanctification and purification. It teaches the good effects of team work and team spirit. It is believed that people die less after Ichú onwú. At the end, each woman retired into the family to enjoy the lunch with other members of the family.
Acknowledgments
From: Ebe Cultural Heritage, by Daniel M. Agubuchie, Published by Abra Communications, (2011)
My gratitude to our teacher Daniel M. Agubuchie for his foresight in documenting Ebe customs and traditions. My utmost gratitude to Prof. Romanus Egudu, Ozo Akwukwo N’Echendo N’Ebe for sharing this priceless material, and to Hon. Brendan Ugwu, Abra the publisher.