‘I have peace here’: Dancing, history and culture celebrated at inaugural Peace region Igbo Day

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Vibrant sounds, colourful attire and history welcomed patrons of the Radisson Hotel on Saturday, with the Igbo people of Nigeria at the centre.

The inaugural Igbo Day festivities were staged at the hotel, with many cultures – both Igbo and non-Igbo – taking part in the event on June 7th hosted by the Umunna Peace Region Association.

Native to eastern Nigeria, the Igbo people are also seen in other regions of Africa, including in Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

Children also partook in a history of the five states in Nigeria native to the Igbo language: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo, with youngsters Stephanie Chima and Jidenna Jeremy Nwokemodo being crowned the event’s Prince and Princess.

It was seen as a “triumph” for Obinna Amaefule, a member of the association and the chair of the event’s planning committee.

“We put a lot of work,” said Amaefule. “A lot of reaching out. We consulted, we carried everyone along, and we got people involved in the planning. That’s why you see this turnout.

“It’s not just the Igbos that are here. We have Nigerians that are non-Igbos. We have people that are not even Nigerians here. It’s a testament of how much planning went into making this a success today.”

John Emejuru is the president of the Umunna Peace region and has seen the Igbo population grow in his decade-plus living in Fort St. John.

He spoke fondly of the town and the gathering on Saturday, estimating there could be between 110 to 120 Igbo people currently residing in the Peace region.

“[This is] a big celebration,” said Emejuru. “Igbo day has been celebrated before we were born. We inherited [this] from our forefathers. So we have got to still give it to our sons, [our] daughters, to continue.

“I’m welcome in Fort St. John. I love Fort St. John. I have peace here. Everything is so close. There’s no harassment or nothing. When you work in the community, the people who are living in Fort St. John are helpful. That’s why I love it.”

Highlights of the event included children of the community being taught simple words in Igbo describing objects, places and things and several colourful, energetic dance numbers native to the culture.

Each of the children were tested after their lesson in front of the crowd, which was led by Amaefule, who told Energeticcity.ca about the importance of teaching the younger generation their ancestral roots.

“All my kids were born here,” said Amaefule. “Then they’ve never been to Nigeria. You could testify from the way they even pronounce the words that they know nothing about it. What we [were] try[ing] to do is to make sure that traditions of our forefathers are passed down to our children and our traditions [and] language are passed down.”

Both Fort St. John Mayor Lilia Hansen and Peace River North MLA Jordan Kealy were honoured guests at the event.

As part of their education on the Igbo culture, Hansen and Kealy were dressed in official royal robes and given official designations. 

Hansen received the title of ‘Adaugo’ meaning ‘a daughter of honour, or the daughter who brings honour,’ while Kealy received ‘Enyi Oha’ meaning ‘friend of the people.’

Hansen was also brought into a dance number, something Amaefule said is indicative of who the Igbo people are and the hospitality they represent.

“When we have guests, we treat them as guests,” said Amaefule. “We give them first-class priority, we welcome them. That doesn’t mean that your brother will not be treated right but it means that you honour your guest and you treat him as a friend.”

The dignitaries were also given a tour of Igbo artefacts, including jewelry such as coral reef beads, medicine such as velvet beads, hygiene products like chewing sticks and traditional offerings like kola nut, palm oil and palm wine.  

The guests were encouraged by their hosts to ask questions.

Hansen said she was flattered by the energy and the people in the culture.

“It’s been great so far. I think there’s going to be a lot more dancing,” said Hansen.

While traditional Igbo Day celebrations take place in August, this Igbo Day event took place on Saturday, June 7th at the Radisson Hotel in Fort St. John because the organization was concerned about the weather.

“It’s going to get cold,” said Amaefule.