PHASES OF NWAOTAM CULTURAL CARNIVAL IN ABA, ABIA STATE (1)

By Mr. Amadi Gabriel A., Mr. Kamndu Ibrahim B., of Institute of Archaeology and Museum Studies, Jos, and, Mr. Ozueigbo, Chinedu I., of National Museum of Colonial history, Aba.

Abstract

Carnivals are popular in Christmas and New Year celebrations. One of such carnivals is the “Nwaotam” carnival that takes place in Aba, Abia State. This paper has discussed the origin of this carnival, its main features, the changes that have affected it and the challenges of extinction threatening its existence. Data for this research was derived mainly from an ethnographic research conducted on this carnival in Aba.

Introduction

Before the Church missionary activities and the British colonial administration, carnivals featured prominently in the everyday life of the Africans. They were used prominently in marriage, burial, religious and every other activity of the community. However, presently, new types of carnivals are emerging. Two good examples of such new carnivals are the Calabar and Abuja carnivals. These are emulating the popular street carnivals of Brazil. Ekpo (2006) has however argued that these foreign carnivals originated in Africa and were exported by the African Slaves who found themselves in South America as a result of slave trade.

The “Nwaotam” carnival in Aba, Abia State is one of the few carnivals that is still patterned in the African sense of carnival though is unknown to most Nigerians.

Origin

“Nwaotam” carnival is so old that none of my respondents could explain how it started. Pa Mike Ogolo (80yrs) says he met the carnival as a young boy. He also explains that his father could not tell him where or how this carnival started. Elder Good heart Mingi (75yrs) submits the same. For him, there is no person today who could claim to know how this carnival started. This is because this carnival predates literacy. Elder Prince Woko (83yrs) can only say that this carnival has its origin in Opobo Kingdom in Rivers State where it served as a thanksgiving carnival. Mr. Jaja Pepple (78yrs) is of the same opinion.

In the light of all these, these researchers cannot explain how this carnival started in Opobo kingdom. However, much time will be devoted to its history, development and changes in Aba, Abia state.

History of Nwaotam in Aba

The History of this carnival and its development in Aba goes back to 1892 when Cairns-Armstrong and some British explorers found themselves in a town called Akwette .These British were trying to find a permanent solution to the slave trade. Though it was abolished finally in 1833, the trade still continued among the city-states of the Niger Delta. The slaves came from the Igbo hinterland. In trying to enter the hinterland, the British reached Akwette in 1892.There they erected a trading station in the name of the Royal Niger Company. In 1895, they went further inland into a town called Obegu under the command of E.R Digann (Afigbo, 1981).

From 1900-1901, they were able to reach Aba (Nwaguru, 1975). The Aro-British war 1901-1902 gave them an opportunity to take over Aba and its environs from the rightful owners. The British came with a large retinue of domestic servants, carpenters, messengers, interpreters and soldiers who were indigenes’ of Opobo. Traffic between Aba and Opobo increased when the Aza River, was discovered as a link between the two communities.

The trading station in Akwette was dismantled and brought to Aba, in 1902. H.M. Douglas was the first British officer of Aba District. With the British firmly settled in Aba more indigenes of Opobo came to work as teachers, labourers, and company staff. Most of them lived along the banks of Aza River, known as waterside, in Aba. This group of people started the “Nwaotam” carnival in Aba as early as 1927. They did not forget these vital aspects of their heritage. They continued with it. However, the “Nwaotam” in Aba has come with many differences from that of Opobo. Elder David Jaja (91yrs) remembers with nostalgia how they performed the carnival in those early years. It made them feel at home and even attracted more of their Kinsmen to Aba. He is not happy that the carnival has continued to change mostly on the negative side. Pa George Wite, submits that the “Nwaotam” of those days has no comparison with that of these days. According to him, “Children have bastardized everything”. It is pertinent to examine these changes that have made differences in this carnival in Aba and Opobo Kingdom.

Changes of Nwaotam in Aba

When this carnival started in Aba, efforts were made to make it look as exactly as the original carnival in Opobo. However, changes have continued to be introduced into the carnival to suit the culture and the environment as a commercial city. These changes are obvious in the following ways as submitted by Pa Clarke Ubani (73yrs).

Time

In Opobo, the “Nwaotam” carnival usually took place in the month of August, immediately after the farming season. It was used as a period of rest, to thank the gods for giving them health and energy to cultivate the few available lands for farming. In Aba, the carnival takes place in December. Though, it is not a Christian carnival, but gradually it has fused into the Christmas celebration. This is the only time it can make impact on people of Aba community. It is time of dry weather, holiday for children, and people are generally in the festive mood. There has therefore been a transformation of time of holding this carnival from August to December. From the 16^th of December the Opobo quarters called pepple Road begin to wear a new look in readiness for this carnival. Pa Green Epele (78yrs) remarks that most people do not know that this change ever took place.

Note from : This is just the beginning. The story of NWAOTAM, is still on. Please continue keeping date with this platform.