Iwa Akwa is an age-long cultural tradition within Igboland that symbolises an initiation into manhood. It is a ceremony that entails the passage of a young boy transforming into a full-fledged man.
Iwa Akwa ceremony takes place in Obowo, Ihitte/Uboma, Ehime Mbano and part of Ahiazu Mbaise local government areas of Imo State and perhaps in few other communities. The ceremony is found in other areas mentioned due to their proximity to Obowo.
Ihitte and Uboma clans being close brothers to Obowo borrowed this ceremony from their Obowo brother. While the closeness of some communities in Ehime Mbano to Ihitte and Uboma made it possible for them to borrow it as well. It is equally noteworthy that in Ahiazu Mbaise local government area, only Ogbor Ihitteafoukwu performs this ceremony due to their closeness to Umuezegwu in Ihitte.
Iwa Akwa is one of the celebrated cultural festivals that attracts spectators from all over the country. Clearly, it is an “Adult Initiation” ceremony because it takes place between the ages of 24 to 26 years after which they are deemed to be adults eligible to pay taxes or levies and partake in communal discussion and decision making.
In other communities like Ihitte, Uboma, Ehime Mbano and Ihitteafoukwu, they are usually 30 years of age before performing their Iwa Akwa. The age grade plays a prominent role in the celebration of Iwa Akwa in these communities.
It takes three years to prepare for the next Iwa Akwa ceremony. As soon as the last set has done their Iwa Akwa ceremony, the next set will commence their own preparations recognising and respecting their elder brothers as well. It is the duty of the seniors to teach their juniors within these three years of preparation, how to respect their elders especially, in public; how to present traditional kola nut; how to see to the sanitation of the local markets, rivers or streams. Furthermore, ensure their education on the customs and traditions of the land, community, involvement, and closely supervise them until they lead them for their main market square display, which is the peak of the Iwa Akwa ceremony.
Within the three years, the new age grade set would perform the Ishi Nri Iwa Akwa ceremony. This mini ceremony is intended by the parents to announce to the public especially their immediate kindred, family members and the community that their son is among and would participate in the upcoming Iwa Akwa ceremony.
The three-year preparation of Iwa Akwa ends with a main market square display of all the initiates for the year. In the morning of the D-day, costumes of the initiates are displayed in front of their homes/or compound early to indicate that an initiate is in that compound. Prior to the time set for the initiates to proceed to the main market square for their display, the senior age grade set sends out delegates to visit each compound and undertake the dressing of the initiates for the event. During the market square display, new initiates would appear with their elegant long-woven wrapper costumes.
The display is usually well organised as only performers are allowed to enter the ring while the crowd stay behind to watch. The initiates move and dance in a single line within the ring, while the upcoming initiates dance in front of them, dressed in elegant uniforms. The market display is unarguably a sight to behold. According to tradition, the immediate age grade set will have to approach the senior age grade to request age grade selection for them. This system purely teaches and maintains traditional respect in the community no matter one’s size or stature.
After their Iwa Akwa, it would be the turn of this new age grade set (initiates) to hand down the tradition to their immediate juniors.
Successful participation is a proof that the man can now take up civil responsibilities within his community and family circles.
Aside the communities in Imo State, Ugbo and Obeagu communities in Awgu local government area of Enugu State also observe the Iwa Akwa ceremony.
Iwa Akwa ceremony is purely social and has no fetish background. Although, some members of the observing communities have refrained from the celebration but it is still passionately celebrated every three years by some communities that have faithfully held the torch on behalf of Ndigbo.
