November 8, 2024

TNN Newspaper

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Wrestling Festival Unites Us, Eneka Youth Leader Reveals

2 min read

Edith CHUKU

The Rumuowha Community in Eneka Clan of the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, is set to hold the opening ceremony of their age-long traditional wrestling festival, known as “Egelege”.

The opening ceremony of the 2024 Eneka Cultural Festival “Egelege” was held 4pm on Saturday, October 12, at the Rumuowha Playground.

Wrestling is one of the most celebrated cultures of the Eneka people and Ikwerre at large in which the people showcase their rich culture and tradition. It also fosters unity among the people.

In a bid to create awareness, the Rumuowha youths took to the street on a rally, singing, dancing, and ringing bells.

They adorned themselves with traditional beads, red george wrapper, white and black tops and applied powder on their faces.

The youths also paid loyalty by visiting the houses of some chiefs, elders and notably individuals in the community.

Speaking with TNN in an interview during the rally, the Rumuowha Youth President, Mr. Progress Chukwu, said wrestling was, “a way of physically showing our strength as a men. The most important thing is that this festival fosters unity among our people.

“It’s our tradition. We are grateful to our ancestors for this. It’s the tradition of the entire Ikwerre people, it did not start now. It’s a traditional festival, a sports just like we have football.

“For us, wrestling is a play between brothers, even the very strong can allow himself to be defeated. It’s our rich cultural heritage, while the men wrestle, the women will dance in excitement to celebrate winners.”

Chukwu noted that the 2024 wrestling festival in Eneka Clan was crucial as a relief from the incessant ugly events happening in the country.

He explained that the opening ceremony was holding in his community because Rumuowha is the first born of Eneka Clan.

The president urged the youths to “come out en masse, let’s enjoy this play as brothers. Enough of the political, economic and psychological stress we receive everyday from this country. At least, the laughter when watching this will surely ease you of some stress.

“I am using this opportunity to beg our youths, my brothers to shun all forms of violence, do not allow yourself to be used by anyone, I mean anyone to inflict injury on someone or perpetrate evil. See you all at the playground.”

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