Ekpe Arochukwu Goes Global

Mazi Dr Azubike Okoro, Mazi Achinivu Okoroafor, Mazi Obinna Aniche

This project is conceived as a heritage renewal event, a platform to honour, document, and elevate the Ekpe institution in Arochukwu to its rightful global visibility. It is designed to reinforce Ekpe as a system of order, discipline, and cultural diplomacy, promote Arochukwu as a regional and international cultural/tourism destination, strengthen our ties with Ekpe-playing communities across Nigeria and Cameroon and beyond, showcase the beauty, dignity, and depth of our traditions for posterity, reconnect our younger generation to the values of Ekpe and properly document Ekpe heritage for academic, cultural, and archival purposes. Thus, the ceremonies of Jan 3rd and 4th are not just entertainment events, rather they are legacies at work. Over the past weeks and months, the various committees have been working tirelessly: meeting regularly, engaging with sister communities, preparing logistics, cultural assets, feeding plans, documentation, media, accommodation, and the general protocol that a gathering of this magnitude requires. The central planning committee is grateful to the Eze Aro, the Okpankpo Aro, the Eze Ogo Amuvi, and all the committed persons who have already shown dedication in planning, contributing, and promoting the event. While the program belongs to every Ekpe initiate in Arochukwu, it is also open to the general public, both Ekpe initiates and non-initiates as it is our collective heritage as Umu-Aro. So, it is our collective responsibility, and our collective pride which is being anchored and hosted by the Ogbo Ekpe, Amuvi community on behalf of the kingdom.

Accordingly, on Saturday, 3rd January, the ceremony shall commence with an international symposium on ‘the relevance of Ekpe in the contemporary world’, attracting scholars, cultural practitioners, and dignitaries to the Alpha plus Hotel Amuvi, Arochuwku, and participants joining virtually from across the globe. The keynote speaker and symposium discussants include renowned scholars, researchers, custodians of culture, as well as, Ekpe enthusiasts from across Nigeria and beyond, including Cameroon, Cuba and USA. Registration for participation via a zoom link to ensure presence of people across the globe is on-going. The event will continue on Saturday January 4th with a grand Ekpe display featuring groups from several communities, including Efik Iboku, Uruan, Oron, Eniong, Abiriba, Uzuakoli, Balondo de Konja (Cameroon), Akamkpa, Ohafia, Kasuk Qua Clan 1and Abam. A delegation from Ekpe Efik Iboku Uruan has been specially invited to lend intellectual and historical depth to the discussion. 

Ogbo Ekpe Amuvi, Arochukwu therefore, promises to be a majestic moment of unity, cultural pride, and international visibility for the entire Aro kingdom. According to Ekpe cultural ambassador whose ideas gave birth to the vision, Mazi Achinivu Okorafor, the overarching objective is to help take Arochukwu back to its roots, by re-exposing its legacies, historic greatness and rightful place in the global cultural discourse, in line with the vision and wishes of His Eminence, Dr. Eberechukwu Oji, the Eze Aro to re-position Arochukwu as a leading cultural and tourism destination. Also, Ogbo Ekpe Amuvi, Arochukwu chair, marketing and sponsorship, Mazi Obinna Aniche indicates that the current efforts are expected to stimulate renewed economic activities and long-term growth within the kingdom and given the impact of ICT which has made the world a global village, Aro’s central place in global economic discourse and traffic would be better assured. No doubt, much has been achieved in the few years since His Eminence ascended the throne of his forefathers. There is now a renewed sense of direction, dignity, and possibility in the kingdom. It is important that this momentum is sustained and strengthened, so that our culture is not only preserved, but properly documented and handed over intact to the next generation.

It is therefore, my honour and privilege, as chairman of the central planning committee of Ogbo Ekpe Amuvi, Arochukwu 2026, to invite umu Aro at Aro ulo and Aro uzo, including citizens’ overseas, researchers and culture enthusiasts to engage with us and be part of this historic event which is open to everyone, Ekpe initiates and non-initiates alike, starting with the international symposium of which registration is on-going and the cultural carnival which shall see about 14 non-Aro Ekpe playing communities on parade on Saturday January, 4th at Amuvi Community School Field, starting 10am.