By Micheal Nnebife and Emmanuel Chigozie
It was jubilations and celebrations like no other in Awka as the Altar Knights Association of Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Parish, Awka, made a public presentation of their cultural music, ‘Anyafulugo Cultural Dance,’ to promote the use of Igbo culture in the worship of God in the Parish.
Aside acrobatic dance displays by the members of the association, thrilling the parishioners and the guests, the event, which was cultural and colourful, also featured the installation of Engr Osita Okonkwo and Ezinne Patricia Okoye as Nna Egwu and Nne Egwu, respectively.
The event which took place on Sunday, August 3, 2025, attracted the presence of the Anambra State Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, Mr Don Onyenji; religious men and women, who included the Bursar of Awka Catholic Diocese, Rev Fr Nicodemus Izuchukwu; Rev Sr Gloria Amusi, among others.
While briefing the excited guests and parishioners that filled the venue of the event to the brim, the Chaplain of the Association, Rev Fr Cosmas Emengini, said the essence of the music was part of efforts to promote the use of Igbo culture in the worship of God.
The Chaplain argued that the Church accepted any music that was moral and promoted Igbo culture, expressing optimism that the Anyafulugo Cultural Dance would go a long way to enhancing the moral and sociocultural lives of the Altar Boys.
Fr Emengini, who, however, decried the dearth of live music in present Igbo society, described the Anyafulugo Cultural Dance as the first of its kind in the Awka metropolis.
He expressed fulfillment, saying that the initiative which began more than two years ago, had come to a reality.
Fr. Emengini listed numerous individuals, whose support, he noted, made the initiative a huge success, and thanked them, praying God to reward them bountifully.
He further expressed gratitude in a special way, to the Parish Priest, Rev Fr Simon Peter Obiakor, for not only endorsing the initiative, but also giving it his full, fatherly support; and Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Igbo-Ukwu in Ekwulobia Diocese, for training Our Lady of Assumption Parish’s Altar Boys on the Anyafulugo Cultural Dance.
While installing the Nna Egwu and the Nne Egwu, the Parish Priest thanked the Chaplain for initiating the idea of the Anyafulugo Cultural Dance.
The priest, who expressed optimism that the music would go places and be a reference point in Christian religious and Igbo sociocultural activities, prayed God to bless it so that it would be a source of joy to all that partook in it, to His glory and praises.
In an address of welcome, the President of the Association, Master Solomon Okafor, pointed out that the Anyafulugo Cultural Dance was not an ordinary music.
According to him, the music signified both Christian religious faith and Igbo culture.
‘Anyafulugo Cultural Dance enhances our faith and our Igbo culture, drawing us nearer to our God,’ Master Okafor stressed.
He thanked the patrons and the patronesses for their support, which, he said, was unwavering; and the guests, for finding out time to come and rejoice with the association.
In his remarks, the Anambra State Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, Mr Onyenji, described Anyafulugo Cultural Dance as unconventional.
The Commissioner adopted the music, assuring that the state government would be using the music for its cultural activities.
Hon Onyenji thanked Fr Ememgini and all other individuals that championed and organized the music and its presentation.
During the event, which was spiced with tough wrestling and tug of war competitions by the members of the Association, the Nna Egwu, Engr Okonkwo; Engr Chris Ndubuisi; Mr Paschal Anyaegbunam; Dame Ojiefi Ann Okafor; Mrs Grace Okonkwo, Mrs Ekwutosi Ebri; Dr Mrs Pat-Uche Okeke; Dr Mrs Oguaju; and the late Mrs Juliana Ikem (posthumously)were decorated as patrons and patronesses in recognition of their unwavering support to the Association.
