User talk:Uwaego/sandbox

Mgbidi Town (UWE OKPO)
Mgbidi is a town in Awgu Local Government area of Enugu,State, Nigeria

Ala the Earth Deity The most important Deity in the religious and social life of the people of Mgbidi was Ala, the Earth Deity. Ala is derived from the ancient Mediterranean cult of the great mother, the symbol of life. Ala is known as ma or Ama, the term by which the Great mother is known throughout Asia minor. Earth Deity or Ala Mgbidi are Obodoaduluogu, Iyiogba, Ogbu Ajala, Ogbara, and Iyiowere Even Agwo Aka (green snake).

Oriri Njoku Oha In Mgbidi Dike Orufa Ibe a man from Isiuga Mgbidi introduced Njoku Oha to Mgbidi. Njoku Oha is simply the yam spirit or gods of yam. Ala is a spirit or god of earth, under its control was Njoku Oha whom was the most important spirit under the numerous spirits of Ala. Mgbidi has its public shrine of Njoku Oha at Okpo Uwe, the symbols of which were stone and Ogirisi tree surrounded by a circle of stones, with two monoliths in center, The Etymological name is called Ogidi. Each village in Mgbidi had its own Ogidi as symbol of Njoku Oha at Okpo Uwe. In Mgbidi, the perennial rites of Njoku Oha were performed every four years as festival before the planting of the yams it does not stop annual plantation, and it was offence for anyone to plant yams until the rites have been performed. Before the appointed day of the ritual, Every successfully family would celebrate Njoku Oha as the highest festival. Those men who were very Rich might kill Pig or Igbo Cow "EFI Igbo" for their wife/wives for the celebration. The rituals which must be performed before anyone could plant his yams was as follows. On the appointed day, each family head brings yam to the shrine of Njoku. The yams were piled before the symbols of cult, and the elders' then squat behind the priest, who took a pullet, and holding it up in his right hand, spoke as follows. Njoku, I have come to give you food and to tell you that we are preparing to plant our yams. May these yams grow up well and may we remain alive to eat them and celebrate the next Njoku. Grant that no one may meet with any injury during this farming year. Protect the lives of our men, women and children. During the Njoku festival, people returned massively from other parts of Nigeria and other foreign countries for celebration and resolution of other commitments at home. From the time of human existence in Mgbidi, like any other Community in Igbo land, four market days called Oye, Avo, Nkwo, Eke existed and dictated the twenty-eight days for each month. Mgbidi people have some exciting festivals during which happiness is shared among them, friends and well-wishers, viz: New yam festival, Oriri Njoku Oha, Oriri Udude (Uwakpu) etc. Before the festivals, the people return massively from other parts of Nigeria and other foreign countries for celebration and resolution of other commitments at home. During the festivals, people attend their worship centers in their best attire with bicycles and many on foot. On return to home, there are various for sumptuous dishes for every family member, friends and well-wishers to eat and joyfully go out for sight seeing. Some of the most exciting displays that hold massive spectators spell-bound during the local festivals have been lost to the factors of injuries and religious belief, viz:- Boxing contests called 'Okpueka Mgbidi' and various masquerades festivals (Uwakpu and their Udude). However, Dances, local music beaters/dancers like Ikwurikwo', Itelkpa', et cetera, still prevail. Okpueka' contest was gradually stopped in the mid-1960s due to humiliations arising from unbelievable infliction of deep-cuts with blood gushing from the head, face and body of some contestants. The occupations of Mgbidi people for thousands of years ago have been mainly farming and hunting. The Land is not too fertile because it is Sandy soil as common but they enjoy whatever comes out of it for they believe in what Nature gives. It was habitation of various wild animal species; and the people maintain the soil-Fertility by land shifting rotation that may last a year or more before re-preparations and re-cultivation. Mgbidi land yields too many types of food produces inclusive of yam, cassava, cocoa yam ,corn vegetables etc. Development in Mgbidi was at the lowest ebb for thousands of years ago. This was due to lack of machines. Communication was done on foot and orally. Farming and hunting were based on local tools. Medicine was based on known local natural herbs. These limitations caused very low population and slow development. However, the advent of religion, education and gradual and invention of machines slowly improved development. Mgbidi has produced highly illustrious indigenes at National and World class levels, in various fields, viz: A Monarch that ruled entire Awgu Division for more than 20 years Chief G.I Okoh, Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists, Engineers, Chartered Accountants, Architects, Professors, Chief judge of Enugu state for more than 12 years, Assistant Commissioner of police, Generals in Nigeria Army, Authors, Journalists, Real Admiral in Nigeria Army, Head of Major ministries in Nigeria, Programmers, Teachers, Magistrates, Lawyers, Custom officers, etc. NB: UWE =NWE or ENWE as the case may be.

For any update or if found any contradiction or error please do not forget to hit my contact page for a proper correction(s). Instinct of words construction could also instigate different interpretation. Credits to Late Mr Ajah, HRH Igwe PD Uzochukwu, Chief L.I Nze, Okenna Oko, Chief Kanueze, Mr Okechukwu and others who are the backbones of this chronicle, they never tired of my regular visitations and disturbances with conjunction of many historical books i read like History of Greater Awgu and others. Uwaego (talk) 19:18, 7 April 2023 (UTC)