My Culture my Tradition

Growing up in the rural Northern part of Abia state was quite interesting in the aspect of culture and tradition.

I was raised in a small town named Item (pronounced E-tem) which is usually pronounced wrongly as the English word ''item'' by visitors. The town is governed by a well-respected King known as Eze Otosi.

Unlike other African traditions where the king is succeeded by the prince, our system is quite different from that. The king emanates from a particular kindred not by election but by laid down protocol of custom which has a severe penalty of death by the gods if the potential king goes contrary to already stipulated custom rules.

^{The Gentle Oyimara Masquerade}


To merit the kingship the following criteria must be met: you must be above 50 years of age, honest, without a record of incest as incest remains is a cultural taboo in Igbo land and also be clean from any form of taboo in the community.

The oldest person who meets the above criteria is automatically crowned and left for the gods to screen, if the King survive after 24 hours, the elders will play a giant Ikoro ( carved wooden drum) which can be heard from any nook and cranny of the town, this instantly informs the indigenes that a new king has emerged.

There's a strange thing about the king. he only leaves his palace once in a whole year to address the community at the market square.

Interestingly, the number of agenda can be seen from the number of tender palm leaf ''ómú'' held by ''ónú òwú'' second in command, after addressing a point in the agenda, he throws out the tender palm leaf ''ómú'' and the elders in opposite direction will send a messenger to pick the leaf to signify that they concur with what he said.

^{Eze Otosi and his entourage during the just concluded New Yam Festival}

After the address, the king will leave the community square and his kinsmen will queue up instantly at his back according to age in descending order, after the kinsmen, other people can now line up and accompany the king to his palace for celebration.

The masquerade and all forms of entertainment all converge at King's palace for celebration proper.

The King's rare outing was a special day for us as children as you can't afford to wait for 365 days to glance at him. We lionize the king as his power knows no bounds. He determines who lives and dies but based on tradition, he is required by the gods to be fair at all times.

The entire community is at his service as the provide his needs collectively without hesitation as the King is forbidden to step out his palace except on a special day.

How often do you see your King? I would like to see it in your comment.