Ọbá Jí Festival 3.0: A Colorful Celebration of Igbo Culture in Onitsha

On Sunday, August 24, 2025, the city of Onitsha, Anambra State, was filled with music, dance, laughter, and cultural pride as people gathered for the Ọbá Jí Festival 3.0. This vibrant celebration of Igbo heritage has become one of the most anticipated cultural events in the state, and this year’s edition proved to be the biggest and most exciting yet.

Obaji festival

The festival, which was held at The Gathering Event Centre, attracted people from across Igbo land and beyond. With its theme of “Celebrating Us”, the event showcased the richness of Igbo traditions while also uniting young people, elders, cultural advocates, entrepreneurs, and entertainers under one roof.

A Festival Rooted in Igbo Tradition

The name Ọbá Jí means “yam barn” in Igbo. In traditional Igbo society, the yam barn was a symbol of wealth, hard work, and prosperity. A man’s status was often judged by how full his barn was during harvest season. By naming the festival after this symbol, the organizers remind the Igbo people that their true wealth lies not just in material possessions but also in culture, values, and unity.

The vision of the Oba Ji festival is championed by Ozioma Anieto (Ozii Baba), a storyteller and cultural promoter who has dedicated himself to reviving pride in Igbo traditions. His work, combined with the support of cultural organizations and sponsors, has made the Ọbá Jí Festival a must-attend event every year.

Ozioma Anieto making his way through the crowd

Guests Who Graced the Occasion

This year’s edition drew a wide range of important personalities and cultural leaders. Among the dignitaries present were:

• The Anambra State Commissioner for Art, Culture, and Entertainment, Donatus Onyeji, commonly known as Don Onyenji
• Honorable Omu Onyebuchi Okonkwo, the Omu of Obio Kingdom – a proud Igbo woman known as an anti-rape and girl-child advocate
• The CEO of Majesticity Real Estate Company
• Don Ebubeogu CEO Tiger Foods
• Udeh Nicholas (Chef Nick)
• Ebubechukwu Charles
• Nnamụdimma Sugar Ikwuazom
• Johnbosco Sopuluchukwu Muogbo
• Ndukaku Okey Excel
• Mazeli Materials

The presence of these respected figures, alongside cultural groups like the Nma Ala Igbo Entertainment team, made the festival even more special. Their participation was a strong message about the importance of preserving Igbo heritage for future generations.

Series of Events and Performances

The festival was packed with activities that kept the crowd engaged from start to finish. Some of the major highlights included:

1. Masquerade Displays

Beautiful and powerful masquerades paraded through the venue, entertaining the crowd with their dramatic costumes and energetic dances. Each masquerade carried deep cultural meaning, reminding the audience of the spiritual and historical roots of Igbo society.

Masquerade performance

2. Music and Oja Performances

Soulful Igbo songs and the sweet sound of the Oja (traditional flute) filled the air. These performances connected people emotionally to their roots, bringing back memories of village festivals and family gatherings.

3. Dance Troupes

Energetic dance groups lit up the stage with breathtaking steps. From traditional Igbo dances to contemporary cultural blends, their performances celebrated the rhythm and spirit of the people.

4. Food and Culinary Displays

Food is at the heart of Igbo culture, and the Ọbá Jí Festival made sure no one went home hungry. Delectable dishes such as roasted yam with palm oil, abacha, nkwobi, and traditional soups were served. Chefs showcased their talents, proving that Igbo cuisine is both delicious and worth celebrating.

5. Competitions and Wrestling

Thrilling competitions were held to add excitement to the day. Among them was traditional wrestling, which drew loud cheers from the audience. Wrestling has always been a symbol of strength and pride in Igbo culture, and its inclusion in the festival made the event feel truly authentic.

Wrestling competition

6. Fashion and Costumes

Different Igbo attires were on full display, Isiagu shirts, George wrappers, beads, and head ties. Guests came dressed in their best traditional outfits, creating a colorful atmosphere that looked like a moving fashion runway.

Some Igbo Cultural Attire at the Oba Ji Festival

Youth Engagement and Recognition

One of the strongest aspects of this year’s festival was its focus on the youth. The Nma Ala Igbo Entertainment team, which is dedicated to cultural promotion, played a big role in uniting young people. They used the platform to inspire Igbo youth to take pride in their heritage and become ambassadors of culture in their daily lives.

Nma ala igbo entertainment team
Image Credit: Nma ala igbo entertainment team

In addition, awards were given to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to culture, leadership, and community development. This recognition served as encouragement for more people to get involved in promoting Igbo traditions.

Sponsors Who Made It Possible

The festival received solid support from sponsors, especially Sterling Bank and Tiger Food, who helped make the event bigger and better. Their involvement shows how businesses can play a role in keeping culture alive while also connecting with communities.

The Atmosphere

From start to finish, the atmosphere was electric. Everyone present had maximum fun, children, adults, elders, and even first-time visitors. There was dancing, singing, laughter, and a sense of pride that filled the air.

Children at the event

Strangers became friends, families bonded, and cultural lovers felt at home. For many, the Ọbá Jí Festival 3.0 was more than just an event, it was a reunion of identity.

Why the Festival Matters

Events like this are not only about entertainment, they are about survival of culture. In today’s world where many young people are losing touch with tradition, the Ọbá Jí Festival is a reminder that heritage must be preserved and passed on.

It teaches children about where they come from, it gives the youth a platform to express themselves, and it reminds adults of the values that built their communities.

Watch the highlights of Oba ji Festival 3.0 here

Conclusion

The Ọbá Jí Festival 3.0 was a resounding success. With masquerade displays, soulful songs, powerful dances, tasty food, wrestling competitions, and cultural exhibitions, it painted a beautiful picture of Igbo identity.

From the presence of cultural leaders to the involvement of young people, from the dedication of sponsors to the energy of the crowd, every detail of the festival showed that Igbo culture is alive and thriving.

As guests left the venue in Onitsha that evening, they carried with them not just memories of fun but also a renewed pride in their heritage. The Ọbá Jí Festival is more than an annual event, it is a movement that keeps the spirit of the Igbo people alive. And if this year’s edition is anything to go by, the future of the festival is bright and even more exciting.

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