https://ng.opera.news/ng/en/lifestyle/amp/112c84afc6269cbe2d385076d070ad2d

INTRODUCTION

Hello my friends, reader's, and fellow steemians how are you doing, hope amazing. Everyone has that time of the year where a celebration/Commemoration/occasion comes up that you have been eagerly waiting for all year, and I would love to share mine with you all.

IKPA OTA OMU(Traditional Retirement)

https://ng.opera.news/ng/en/lifestyle/amp/112c84afc6269cbe2d385076d070ad2d

This is an Occasion I am eagerly anticipating,
The Ikpa Ota Omu(Traditional Retirement) Is an event by the Ohafia people of Abia state, Nigeria. This event is done by the 27 villages of Ohafia which include
Ebem,Eziafor,Elu,Amekpu,Asaga,Amuma,Akanu,Amangwu,Amuke,okagwe,Ndi Ibe,Ndi anku,Ndi okala,Ndi uduma ukeu,Ndi uduma nta,ihenta,Ndi oji,Isiugwu, e.t.c.
It is done once every six years and the next one will be held January 1st 2023, and I can't wait. Just like the name say's it's the traditional retirement of the elderly who have served the village and are of age to retire and settle down, it sounds boring but that is far from the truth because the Ohafia people do it in such a cultural and big way, each family that has someone retiring prepares a tent with judge wrapper material and decorates the whole place, this attracts tourist from all over the world to come and witness this glorious event. The day starts for with the age grade retiring meeting at a central place in the village, the king comes, gives a speech addresses them,blesses them, then there's a little handover ceremony from them to the next age grade. After that they present their last project to the community before dancing off round the village and then retriting to each of there respective celebration ground.

SPECIAL ATTIRE

It is really a colourful sight to behold, everyone retiring will be in their traditional attire of judge wrapper,okpu agu(lion cap),ishi agu(traditional shirt) matched with their walking stick and for the women blouse matched with the judge wrapper.

BENEFITS OF THIS OCCASION AND BENEFITS OF THE AGE GRADE

BENEFITS OF THE OCCASION
Let me start of my highlighting the importance of this celebration to the Ohafia people, the igbo's and Nigerians in general. This event is one of the biggest in the eastern part of Nigeria, it is a major tourist attraction which brings massive income for the Ohafia people and Nigeria as a country in general. This event also despite challenges in the country units everyone, due to the open minded and caring personality of the Ohafia people everyone is invited and allowed to enjoy this culture with them.

THE BENEFITS OF THE AGE GRADE SYSTEM

https://thewhistler.ng/age-grade-traditional-retirement-is-for-development-abia-leaders/amp/

This, for those who don't know is the grouping of individuals into specific age groups for the betterment of the community. Over the serving period of this groups,they contribute resources for the betterment of the community, they build with joint effort inferstructures such as
Roads
Schools
Hospitals
Build general water house's e.t.c
This is a major benefit to the community and government in general, with these the stress and pressure is reduced from the shoulders of the government,and helps fast tract development.

CONCLUSION

This is a contest dear to my heart cause I have been able to share with you all an occasion I am eagerly anticipating.
I would love to invite
@ijebest
@gunthertopp
@alexmove to join this amazing contest and share with us the celebration/Commemoration/occasion you are eagerly anticipating.

By rhema01