Ohafia Tradition

The Ohafia people of Abia State, Nigeria, have a significant tradition known as "Iguu Ogbo," which is naming a child after an ancestor, a family member, or a friend who is very dear to the child's parent or parents. A child must be named after someone in the Ohafia tradition, usually an ancestor, a family member, a friend, or a highly esteemed individual. A man chooses the person he wants to name his child after. It is prohibited for a mother to name her child after anyone. Nevertheless, a mother may give her child a causal name (afa meriga). The…

This natural pool in the pictures below is called Obai. It is located at Isiugwu, in the Ohafia local government area of Abia state Obai is a river and an abode of a river goddess, served by a priestess from a particular kindred (ikwu). A sacred and jealous goddess that takes no pride in immorality, dries up once desecrated and comes back when appeased. It has healing powers for her visitors. It has beautiful lilies that spring up every morning. Obai is beautiful, soft, pure, clean, and transparent as crystal clear, with no shadow to fear and no hiding disguise…

Outside Ohafia War Dance, generosity, and hospitality are also Ohafia traditions and culture, not only it is their tradition but also run in their DNA. Nde Ohafia's cultural hospitality and generosity are extremely interesting. Ohafia people welcome visitors/strangers into their homes with open hearts, love, and respect, making them feel comfortable and valued. They are kind, selfless, and willing to give or share their resources, time, and assistance with visitors /strangers without expecting anything in return. In Ohafia, visitors are usually welcomed with open hearts, love, and respect, they are given a sense of belonging, and they are entertained specially.…