Uge Adiafaa Atissa: A Cultural Fiesta With Tourism and Economic Potential
Etete Enideneze writes this interesting piece titled Uge Adiafaa Atissa: A Cultural Fiesta With Tourism and Economic Potential.
Bountiful harvest of staple food crops has been a thing of concern in agrarian societies, right from ancient times to date.
This is more so, as factors such as drought, flood, erosion, environmental degradation arising from exploration of mineral resources, wild animals, crop pathogens, land grabbing, intra- and inter-communal or ethnic wars, terrorism as well as wraith of the gods pose threats to farming and good crop yield.
Even in contemporary societies, as in Nigeria, the menace of the aforementioned factors, in addition to leadership problem, insecurity, economic downturn; overdependence on white-collar jobs, politics as a juicy career; crude oil and gas windfalls, lack of industrialization as well as excessive reliance on foreign goods, have affected farming grossly, leading to abject poverty and hunger.
Contrastively, in the past, agriculture was the main source of livelihood for the rural communities and driver of national economy.
Given the relevance of agriculture, Nigerian societies had years back, not only engaged in subsistence and commercial farming, but also made it a way of life, which was transmitted from one generation to another.
They also revered their major staple food crops, especially, when yield is threatened by human or natural factors, which could affect productivity and cause hunger.
Against this backdrop, some Nigerian ethnic groups or communities celebrate their main food crops, notably yam, and pray for good harvest in every farming season.
In Bayelsa State and Nigeria, Atissa is one of the kingdoms, where yam is accorded such value, considering its nutritional and commercial benefits.
Dubbed initially as Uge Adugu, and later changed to Uge Adiafaa Atissa (Atissa New Yam Festival), the celebration began in 1962 at Ogu.
Historical account states that female farmers in Atissa Kingdom had grappled with sudden stunted growth of the crop and poor harvest, and were discouraged from further cultivating it.
However, “prophetically”, the Ebeni-Ibe at that time, late King Frederick Adugu Simangi urged them to cultivate the crop again, and declared that they would make bumper harvest.
Faithfully, the women returned to their farm lands, to plant yam cells, and subsequently made impressive harvest.
The women chanted songs of joy and paid homage to the King at his home, Ogu Community, and presented large tubers of new yam to him.
The King prayed for continuous good yield, and the incident turned out to be a festival.
Since then, the people have been commemorating the event annually, with each of the thirteen communities taking turns to host the grand finale.
Successive kings and other traditional leaders of thought, after HRM Adugu whose name was initially used to call the festival, have ensured continuity of the celebration until date. They include King B. L. W Mabinton and King Abiye Agama, all of blessed memories.
The present monarch, HRM, King (Sir) Godwin G. Igodo, Ogbotom-Edede the VII, Ebeni-Ibe of Atissa Kingdom, and his Council of Chiefs have equally sustained celebration of the Uge Adiafaa until now.
Year in year out, the fiesta serves as an effective medium through which the Kingdom exhibits yam tubers, cuisine, cultural dance, cultural attires, traditional protocols, indoor and outdoor games and sports including acquatic genres.
Among such events are wrestling, football, boat regatta, canoe racing, swimming; tug of war contest; educational and enlightenment campaigns against vices and criminal acts; women procession and presentation of new yam tubers to the Ebeni-Ibe, and appraisal of development as well as profering of solutions.
In every edition, most of these activities start in each community, from July 25 to August, heralded by cannon shots in every community, and rounded off at a host community.
This year’s edition of the Uge Adiafaa, which commenced July 25, will be rounded off at Yenebebeli 1 Community, today, August 3, amid fanfare, with a galaxy of dignitaries from within and outside Atissa Kingdom, invited to grace the ocassion.
A variety of entertainment and other activities, for instance, wrestling competition; love boat regatta; women race, tug of war contest between men and women, cultural display featuring Yenebebeli Women Dance Group, Ogbonugbeni Epie Ma Vaa; Owigiri by Barrister Smooth Band and reggae splash by One Love Reggae Family are billed to take place at the grand finale.
Other highlights are educational awards; award of trophies to winners of contests; a talk on drug abuse among youths; procession by women, male and female youths, presentation of new yam tubers to the King, and delivery of the Ebeni-Ibe’s State-of-the-Kingdom Address.
The ocassion, which is to be chaired by Barr Osomkime Edwin Blankson, Managing Director/CEO of OLBY Group, will have in attendance many dignitaries including Senator Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State, as Special Guest of Honour.
Governor Diri is expected to speak at the ocassion, while HRH Victor Diemeze Awala, Otolomo-Ibe 1, the Ebeni Okunu Ive Atissa Kingdom, and, HRH Alfred Ovuoh, Ebene-Eken of Yenebebeli 1 are Chief Host and Host, respectively.
The event will end with a thanksgiving service at St. John’s Anglican Church, Obogoro, August 4.
Whereas the age-long Uge Adiafaa cultural heritage has projected the identity, core cultural practices, mores and values of Atissa Kingdom, aside the entertainment element and unity, more economic gains could accrure from it.
Hence, to fully tap its tourism and economic potential for a better state and national economy, as well as welbeing of the people, it is important for private and public sector investors to partner with Atissa Kingdom.
In that light, Bayelsa State and the Federal Government, their relevant agencies, and donors could support to upgrade Uge Adiafaa to commercial standard.
There is also need to improve documentation of activities and artifacts of the festival for wider reach, through online and offline mass media; the Niger Delta Museum at the Azaiki Public Library, Bayelsa State Museum and Archives, and those located outside the state.
Doing these, would no doubt promote the Uge Adiafaa to the whole world, and turn it to tourism and money spinning gin.
Etete Enideneze, Journalist/Public Relations Professional, wrote and published this article, from Yenagoa.
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