Iwa ikwa or cloth wearing is an ancient cultural festival in Igbo land in Nigeria, this a ceremony where boys are being initiated into manhood. it is well recognised festival in igbo land. It has been in existence since 1940's. It is done every 3years and its a two days ceremony which is mostly recognised by some certain villages like mbano, mbaise, ikwere, obowu, so each of this villages has special day they will choose in any of the igbo market days to celebrate their iwa akwa festival.
The age to join or participate in this iwa akwa is 26- 30 year, so any man who haven't partake in this is not regarded as a man and cannot partake in any leadership or recieve any right in the village. The person who has not done his iwa akwa cannot join his age mates in meeting or in decision making.
This festival brings people from far and near. If one who has reached the age and peradventure you are not around or outside the state for you to participate, the parents or siblings can stand in for the celebrant holding the picture frame of the person. The mother of the celebrant must be well respected and good woman in the village while the father must also have done his own iwa akwa. The family of the celebrants cooks food to entertain their visitors in accordance to the festival.
So on the first day of the festival the celebrants that want to join the iwa ikwa will go and meet their senior that has done their ikwa before them, to assist them in their house chores like cleaning their shoes, fetching water, fetching firewood and lots more, before the d- day. No matter your status in the society, be you governor or senator, be it any title you must participate on this. Its a symbol of respect and loyalty.
On the second day which is the main day of the ceremony, the celebrants will tie wrapper in front of their compound so that passerby will know that somebody is celebrating iwa akwa. The celebrants will be blessed by a priest or by a spiritual director, so from there they will head to the market square, a companied with family and friends with drums and music playing. Meanwhile they will tie their wrapper on their shoulder and waist as it flows on the floor as they dance to the music in celebration. At the market square their seniors will then bless them and usher them in to manhood.
This iwa akwa signifys that the worst naked boy has been clothed as man, now he is eligible to participate in the village meeting of the kingsmen, takes his rights, pays his dues and partake in decision making in the village. Have you had about iwa akwa before and what can you say about it?
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