By NewsBits
Arrangements have been reportedly concluded for this year’s Igbo World Festival of Arts and Culture scheduled for August 11 and 12 at Seldon Park, 100 Genoa Martin Dr Brunswick Georgia, USA.
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In a statement by the Publicity & Media Director of the Council of Igbo States in America (CISA), organisers of the festival, Chief Mathias Mgbeafulu, said that most of the activities would take place at Seldon Park, 100 Genoa Martin Dr Brunswick Georgia, USA.
He noted, “the Igbo landing a historic site at Dunbar Creek, St. Simons Island has grown in spiritual importance, given the 1803 powerful, and evocative brave story of active Igbo resistance against enslavement.
The statement noted that the President-General Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanayanwu would be leading Igbo world leaders to the festival.
The statement further reads in parts: “This festival is also meant to provide opportunity for ndi-Igbo to commune and re-establish relationships with the descendants of Igbo landing survivors that now populated the Gullah Geechee communities in the region.
“It should be recalled that Igbo Village Virginia has been the venue of the past festivals and since its initial opening in 2008, participants had come from – USA, Colombia, Canada, Mali, South Africa, Liberia, Cameroun, Ghana, London, Nigeria, Gabon, Togo, Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, and Belize. “Now for the first time, the festival goes to Igbo Landing, another milestone in Igbo reconnections with their kith and kins across the Atlantic.
“This intercontinental Igbo festival is specially known for its vibrant fun-filled field activities that parades the beauty of Igbo cultural heritage, and which displays to the world the peculiarities of Ndigbo, their roots, culture, and cross-continental influences across the Americas.
“The Council of Igbo States in Americas (CISA) is inviting all lovers of culture to come and experience this most unique and fabulous cultural exhibitions of Ndigbo outside Nigeria.
“The two-day fiesta features intellectual presentations, artistic display, thrilling cultural dances, masquerades, Igbo cuisine, exquisite Igbo fashions, and many others.
“The reconnection and naming ceremony, which remains one of the most emotional highlights of the festival will take its pride of place.
“The reconnection it must be noted is a ritual in which African Americans who traced their ancestry to Igbo communities in Nigeria (through DNA testing) and have chosen to reclaim Igbo roots are cleansed, take Igbo names, and re-connect with their Igbo siblings and their Igbo homeland. The beauty of Igbo cultural expressions is rekindled alive at the festival.
“Important dignitaries from across USA, Europe, Nigeria, and Africa will be in attendance. His Majesty Eze Chukwuemeka Eri is leading other Royal fathers from Igboland to the festival.
“CISA is happy to welcome them all including delegations of World Igbo Congress (WIC) led by its Chairman, Prof Anthony Ejiofor as well as delegations from Ethiopia, South Africa, and Jacksonville Florida led by their Presidents Chief Chigbo Anayaso and Chief Obi Madubike, respectively.
“CISA President, Engr James Ogbuka Umekwe, Chair Board of Presidents Onowu Chief Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze and the Festival Planning Chair, Mazi Emeka Nwosu have all reaffirmed CISA readiness to make this year’s festival a phenomenal one, worthy of commemorating 220 years of Igbo landing in the region.”
