NGWA DAY CELEBRATION 2025: "IRU MGBEDE" CELEBRATING WOMANHOOD AND NGWA IDENTITY

 

“Iru Mgbede: Celebrating Womanhood and Ngwa Identity”  

*Article By Ngozi Ufomba*

In the heart of Ngwa land, nestled in the rich cultural heritage of Abia State, lies a timeless tradition that continues to echo the pride, grace, and beauty of the Ngwa people—*Iru Mgbede*. Translated loosely as “evening outing,” this revered cultural ceremony marks a young woman’s transition into womanhood and readiness for marriage. Beyond the glamour and music, it is a rite steeped in symbolism, communal values, and ancestral legacy.

The Meaning of Iru Mgbede

Traditionally, *Iru Mgbede* is organized for a maiden of marriageable age, often between 18 and 25 years. It serves as a formal presentation of the girl to the community, particularly to eligible suitors. It is not just a showcase of beauty but an announcement of maturity, chastity, and home training—a signal to society that the young woman is prepared to become a wife and mother.

The Process and Preparations

The ceremony is usually preceded by weeks of preparation by the girl’s family. A special outfit is sewn, often made from the famous Ngwa george or wrapper, adorned with beads and traditional hair plaiting. Her skin is pampered with palm oil or traditional creams, and the girl is taught songs, dances, and how to carry herself with pride.

In many cases, the girl is kept indoors for some days before the event, receiving guidance from her mother, aunts, and elder women on marriage, respect, and womanhood. This “isolation” is similar in spirit to the *fattening room* custom in other parts of Igboland.

The Grand Evening

On the chosen evening, the compound or village square comes alive. Drummers beat out ancient rhythms, flutes sing into the night air, and women ululate in celebration. The girl, glowing and radiant, steps out gracefully, escorted by her friends and sometimes female relatives.

She dances slowly to the drums, sometimes holding a staff or hand fan, displaying elegance, humility, and poise. Her entrance is met with cheers, admiration, and sometimes symbolic offerings from well-wishers. This is *Iru Mgbede* in its glory: a living canvas of Ngwa tradition.

Cultural Significance

At its core, *Iru Mgbede* is a celebration of *Ngwaness*—a term that speaks to identity, pride, and community belonging. It preserves moral values, reminds young girls of their roots, and fosters intergenerational bonding. Even in modern times, many families still uphold this tradition, blending it with contemporary styles.

In the words of a cultural elder, Chief Okorie Nwogu:  

_"Iru Mgbede is not just about beauty. It is about identity. It tells the world this girl is from a proud people with proud customs."_

Evolving with the Times

Today, *Iru Mgbede* has found a place not just in villages but also in towns and even the diaspora. Some families incorporate it into wedding rites or cultural festivals. It has become a platform to revive and celebrate traditional music, dance, and fashion.

Social media has also amplified its reach, with many showcasing *Iru Mgbede* events online, drawing admiration and curiosity from other cultures.

Final Thoughts

In a world fast losing its indigenous practices, *Iru Mgbede* stands as a proud reminder of the elegance, dignity, and communal values of Ngwa culture. It is not merely a show; it is a rite—a passage into responsibility, into pride, into *Ngwaness*.

*And as the drums of tradition continue to beat, so too will the heart of Ngwa land continue to celebrate its daughters, one evening outing at a time.*

Ngwa Day Celebration will make alive these memories fast eroding in our subconscious by enactment and display of not just 'Iru Mgbede' tradition but will be an educative medium to open our eyes into what Ngwa and it's Culture stands for.....       

DON'T JUST BE A GUEST .....                            BE A PARTNER........