AVHIANWU CLAN IN ETSAKO CENTRAL LGA, EDO STATE CELEBRATES NEW YEAR FESTIVAL.
BRIEF HISTORY…..
Adui iku kwa in Avhianwu clan Etsako Central LGA Edo State is celebrated yearly across the four (4) clans in AVIANWU namely
1. IVHIUNONE (FUGAR)
2. IVHIARUA (FUGAR)
3. IMHAKHENA (OGBONA) and
4. URALOKHOR (IRAOKHOR) between the month of March and April as the situation may warrant in each year to mark the dawn of a new Year traditionally. The literary meaning of “adui iku kwa” is waste disposal.
Waste disposal is the process of getting rid of all unwanted products in our homes,society and environment. A day of adui iku kwa is a day that is compulsory for everyone to reconcile whatever differences they have with their neighbours. No one is expected to cross this day harboring hurts, grudges, grief, pains, offences, in their hearts. You may call it a day of reconciliation, forgiveness,settlement, revival, renewal. Adui iku kwa makes all things new again. Relationships rekindle, victims of broken marriages take advantage of this day to seek reunion.
This day is known for a day where sons in-laws pay tribute to their fathers and mothers in-laws. One visits his in-laws with gift, sometimes a bottle of hot drink or a keg of specially reserved palm wine and some cash (optional), and in company of his respected and responsible friends and peers.
The Peculiar soup for all family today is ogbolor (omhi akphe) and pounded yam. Parents call all their children both at home and abroad to release the yearly blessings to them, sincerely from their heart. The content of this prayer is “goodness,mercy, favour and blessings on our way, we have disposed the evil waste,……
It is a day of joy and Celebration for all elderly men and traditional rulers for they have seen yet another year. This is why the sound of gun shot opened the day early this morning. This feast ushers the people into a new planting season. The people believe that though rain has not resumed in the region for planting, it may likely shower today to celebrate with the people and open the season for them. There is no particular rituals associated with this feast.
All sons in laws of Avianwu do surely pays tribute to them on this feast.
On this day, all family used to pack all dirty clothes to the river to wash. All corners of the homes are properly swept. Just like the Bible says, old things must be passed away and new things must begin from this day.
It used to be a day for tireless swimming, hide and seek funplay in the river for the teenagers, etc in the respective villages.
The song they normally sing today when going and coming back from the river is ” Emor si vha gwe nor leh khu kpeh nor lamhi vha lor o, Agbado nukpe, gia kege gia”
The fruit that normally opted for today after visiting the river for the festival is VELVET TAMALIN (UGIEH). All the young people will pluck Velvet tamalin and take them home to share for loved ones.
Its really a festival of love for all sons and daughters of Avianwu.
Some communities today go for swimming competition to wrap the day’s event.
The greetings that is predominant in Avianwu today is
“Onortse onortse lor
Ewie wia lor
Mha du iku ebe lakwa”.
Happy new year to all avianwus.
Today is always peculiar day for the people of Avhianwu.