FESTIVALS IN EBIRALAND
Ebira is a culture and a people of style, excellence and unparalleled track-record of majestic celebrations. The people are loving and accomodating, the geography is a world-class wonder.
Among the various things about Ebiraland, the festivals are mightily celebrated with symbolic degree of cultural identity. This is why we bring you a list of some of the festivals.
Eche-Ane Festival
Eche-Ane is an annual masquerade festival celebrated in rotation from one district to the other in Ebira Land,
According to history, it was only during the period of the festival that betrothed ladies were given away in marriage to their suitors. That is why the festival was named ‘Eche-ane’ (women festival).
Masquerades like EKU, though carried long canes, came out primarily to entertain people and received gifts in return.
Eche-Ori Festival
‘Eche Ori’ is a new yam festival celebrated only in two districts in Ebiraland, Ihima and Eganyi. During the festival, traditional worshippers make sacrifices in the secret groove of ‘Ori’(deity) high up in the mountain to show gratitude for its protection and provision of bounteous harvest.
The worshipers carry long canes with which they whip one another in turns without anyone exhibiting any sign of pain. This is a mark of strength or manhood.
Another important attraction of the festival is the delightful ‘Echori’ music in which female singers feature prominently. Only after this festival can one eat or sell new yams in the market as it is a taboo to do so before the festival.
Ekuechi Festival
Ekuechi festival is the most widely celebrated annual traditional festival in Ebiraland. The duration of the festival takes a long stretch of time because different traditional musicians known as “Ikede” singers and night masquerades performs differently to mark the festival. Notable musicians like Alh. Sule Adeku (of blessed memory) is known to sing good songs during the Ekuechi Festival.