Last Sunday in Awka, the capital city of Anambra State, an unfortunate accident happened, leading to the death of a young masquerader. It was during the annual Imo Awka Festival, a celebration of the Awka deity. The masquerade was said to have been hit by a commercial tricycle, otherwise called keke. The young masquerader was said to have been instantly killed, with his head bursting open.
This death was indeed very tragic and more so in the sense that it could have been prevented, only if those concerned had taken heed of admonitions from such quarters as the state government and well-meaning members of the public. Indeed, every year, the celebration of this festival takes a violent turn, with people being harassed and flogged, while motorists and passers-by are extorted, all in the name of the festival.
Sometimes, because of the violent bent taken by the festival, schools are hurriedly shut to protect pupils and students from being hurt. Some businesses are also shut by fearful owners to avoid molestation and even looting.
This had led the Anambra State Government to at one time ban the masquerades from being in major roads, advising them to go to the village squares. But this has continued to be flouted by those behind the celebration of the festival and the violence has continued.
Strangely enough, those celebrating it are often more at the receiving end as they get killed while driving rough and hanging precariously on vehicle doors.
Worse still, this festival has become an occasion when cultists waylay rivals and attack them, leading to several deaths of young men. There is in fact hardly a year of this festival that passed without some bad news of violence and death.
Defenders of this festival will tell anyone that it is their culture but they forget that no culture allows impunity. No culture also gives one the right to stop free movement and to intimidate and harass others.
We don’t think that the government or anyone is against anyone celebrating their culture. What is the bone of contention is the nature of the celebration. Those behind the celebration seem not to know that where their own rights stop is where the rights of others begin.
We have noticed that the celebration of this festival suffers infiltration by foreign elements not of Awka Town and this is because they see it as avenue to extort money from people.
This is why they have refused to heed government’s directive to retreat to the village squares but have continued to besiege the major roads. Had they listened to the government, the young man who died last Sunday would be alive today.
Rather than blame anyone, especially the keke driver, they should blame themselves for disregarding government’s directive against obstructing movement. This is even as we do not make excuses for the driver. For, as long they continue flouting this directive, more of such tragedy will likely continue.
We call on Awka elders to rein in their wards and ensure that this festival is celebrated in the appropriate place to avert future occurrence. May the soul of the accident victim rest in peace and may God give the family the fortitude to bear the loss.
