In the early days of Akahland, the social life of akah people were highly rooted in her culture and tradition, as most of the activities and celebrations in the land were on communal basis. Farming which had been the fundamental occupation of the people was also considered as a social activity. In those days, men used to marry many wives. During the farming season, their wives were expected to invite their siblings and cousin to assist in cultivating the land of their husband. Their husband would also invites his relatives and friends. All the invitees would eat, drink and interact with each other while assisting in the farm work.
Moreover, after the harvest season which used to be towards the end of the year, a lot of groups from the villages engaged in various cultural dances, which were presented to the public at an appointed day within this period. Besides, the period was also known for the presentation of young women who had just completed their fattening period that prepared them for marriage (which was known as "IRU-MGBEDE"). In the presentation day many people from neighbouring towns and villages were invited. These activities drew a lot of crowd, more especially bachelors who were in search of their potential brides. Spinsters used the opportunity to display their beauties, thereby attracting potential suitors. In addition, the wrestling season which comes immediately after the oghu season was another period of social interaction, as people from different areas both young and old, male and female converge in one location to witness and also take part in the wrestling tournament.
Again during our beloved Oghu season, which is still at this present time the most celebrated season in Akahland, a lot of sightseeing and crowd pulling activities take place. As the ten villages in Akahland have different dates for the celebration of the festival, this enables the people of akah to converge to the celebrating village at a particular time. During this season the whole of Akahland seems to be in festive mood as there are lots of outings and visitations coupled with drinking and eating. Akah sons and daughters who live outside Akahland do travel home to celebrate the festival with families and friends. People from different areas were also invited for the celebration. However, cultural dances such as Ekeleke and Ogbanamma also create avenues for social interaction as they do attract lot of crowd to the area where the dance is being performed or celebrated.
In the 60's there was the advent of social life style that were not originally from our culture and tradition. activities such as church wedding, ballroom dance, bongo dance, going to beer parlour or bar. This era brought a shift in the social life of akah people. As more akah people became christian, western religion feasts such as Christmas and Easter gained popularity in Akahland in this era. It grew stronger as time progressed. In the 70's, as majority of Akah sons and daughters made remarkable prowess in education and most of the people turned to be christian, Christmas season became a major celebration period in Akahland. Each village in Akahland was allocated a day in the December month to host the rest of Akah people. In that very day, a lot of activities and sight seeing events take place. Activities like football and handball competition, cultural dance, drama, and ballroom dance (late in the evening) were the order of the day. It was a great social and crowd pulling event. The villages celebration day were mapped out as stated here under:
Uba Day - 17th of December
Isiozi Day - 21st of December
Amiyi Day - 23rd of December
Ugbele Day - 24th of December
Ibele Day - 25th of December
Umuaka Day - 26th of December
Achara Day - 27th of December
Umuele Day - 28th of December
Amakor Day - 29th of December
Obeakpu Day - 30th of December
Amafor Day - 31st of December
These celebration days enhanced the vibrance of christmas season in Akahland, as a result most akah sons and daughter would not like to celebrate the season in no other place than in Akahland. People used the opportunity to meet old and new friends, forming different kinds of social alliances with one another.
Moreover, in the 80's Akah sons and daughters began to form various kinds of social clubs from their divers social alliances. These clubs engaged their members in various activities and also support their members in their period of need such as during marriage, bereavement, illness etc. The Social clubs that existed in Akahland during this period were as follows: for men - Udo Di mma Social Club, Akah Crusade, Oga n'iru Social Club, Chikwado Social Club, Recreational Club, Akah Vanguard, Akah Vigilant Club, etc. Women clubs were as follows: Odozi Aku Social Club, Ezinne Social Club, Obidiya Social Club, etc. In the same period, the women of Akahland who resides in different cities of Nigeria and overseas, formed a general social allegiance with those residing in Akahland. Their meeting period is every August. The meeting provides great avenue for the exchange of skills and ideas among the women. This women August meeting was also considered to be the replacement of the traditional Emume season which also occurred in August, when all Akah women who used to be pagan converge at Afor Umuaka to dance around the market square to show appreciation to the gods for their bumpy harvest. Moreover, a lot of positive development and women empowerment in Akahland have been attributed to this August meeting of Akah women.
However, in recent time Akahland has been gradually transforming from a rural community to an urban town, with the availability of electricity, Cinema, trendy restaurants, bars, hostels, hotels, discotheque, internet cafes, supermarkets, public transportation, banking facilities and adequate security. These make her to be an attractive area for business investment. Companies like Chevron Oils and UBA have already started investing in Akahland. Besides, notwithstanding the influence of urbanization in the present day social life, she still maintains her traditions and cultural values. |
