Once upon a time, a female crocodile settled on the bank of a river. One evening, as she strolled along the shore, she discovered some eggs lying in a nest, partially covered. She marveled at their freckled beauty, wishing they were her own. When she returned home, she mentioned her find and sought help to decorate her eggs. She was directed to Mr. Tortoise, who was renowned for his skill in decorating eggs. Thanking her […]
OUR HERITAGE IN PERIL
Preserving Our Rich Igala Heritage: A Call to Action Igala is the custodian of a remarkable and ancient heritage, and it is heartwarming to witness its endurance throughout the ages. From the dawn of antiquity, through the stone and iron ages, to our contemporary times, Igala heritage has persisted, staunchly resisting the forces seeking to undermine it. These pressures, while man-made, encompass declining literacy in our language, the disappearance of reading and writing materials, and […]
Ócho Festival: Origin, Facts and Features
Ócho Festival celebration dates back to the Middle Ages when Àtá Ìdoko Agánápojè – father of Àtá Áyẹ́gbà, founder of the ruling Third Igala Dynasty in Central Nigeria – was out hunting one day and lost his way in the bush. His followers searched everywhere but could not find him “till nearly nightfall.” The following day, he sent a message to his wives and retainers, saying: “It is not right that nothing should be done to mark the occasion, or that […]