By Chibuzo Ihegboro
Asusu Igbo Amaka (AIA) – meaning ‘Igbo language is so beautiful’, is that annual glamorous cultural event that is fast rising towards becoming an revered language revitalization platform to promote mother tongue and culture.
It is an event conceptualized by Igboekulie- a pan Igbo socio-cultural group, not only to teach and celebrate the beauty of Igbo mother tongue and culture, but to also reward secondary school students that exceled in Igbo language at the West African Examination Council (WAEC).
The last edition of the AIA event which held recently in Owerri, Imo State, was a testament that Igboekulie’s pursuit is already gaining huge impact as one event that draws the largest convergence of the young and old under one roof to celebrate the Igbo language, culture and tradition.
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The hall was jam-packed as over 20 secondary schools from the South East states, and almost 1000 students converged to learn and watch, while dozens traditional rulers from various communities also graced the occasion. And they were wowed by the display of various cultural dance troupe like the popular Atilogwu dance group, Igba umu ogaranya dance, the Ugo eze dance ( a royal dance typically performed by Igbo maidens) and several other dances.
This year’s AIA came with several highlights one of which was the Igbo rendition of the national anthem in a style that brought out not just the rhythm, but also the essence of the anthem. Also igbo songs, exciting poems, incisive proverbs, thrilling folklore and captivating drama skits were generously rendered.
Another high point was the doling out of cash and other gifts to students for academic excellent in Igbo language at the 2019 WAEC. The star prize winner Miss Ugochinyere Enenmoh, from Marist Comprehensive College, Nteje, Anambra state, went home with a N100, 000. Three other students were tied in second place in the national prize category, and they are: Kingsley Adimonyemma from St. Paul Seminary Ukpor, Adaugo Enenmoh ( twin sister to Ugochinyere) also of Marist Comprehensive College, and finally Miss Ifunanya Iwu who sat for her examination at St. Paul’s High School, Osu, Isiala Mbano, in Imo state.
Speaking on what fuels their drive promote the Igbo culture via the AIA program, Igboekulie president, Prince Ben Onuora said it is out their strong abhorrence to the calamitous prediction of UNESCO ( United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation) that Igbo language would be extinct in the next few years. “ Igbo language is our identity as a people; it defines who we are. Our parents bequeathed Igbo language to us. It would be an act of monumental failure not to do same to our children,” he said.
Explaining further Onuora described the Igbo language as the purest medium for the transmission of the Igbo culture and traditional norms and practices “for example ‘Iri ji’ (New yam festival), ‘alulu nwanyi’ ( customary marriage), ‘iwa oji’ (breaking of kolanut) etc. Also , Igbo is a national and international language that we need to further develop its appeal. For example, I’m sure some of us have seen the trending video of hundreds of Chinese children being taught Igbo language by an Igbo lady in China. How about the numerous videos of a white lady called Nwanyiocha, or the ones of whites singing sonorous Igbo gospel songs in churches overseas? Is it not an irony that non-igbos lean, speak and appreciate our igbo language more than us? This must change. That is why Igboekulie shall continue to pursue this cause.”
