Iri Agha
The name of the dance is Iri-Agha Ohafia
This dance is native to the whole people of Ohafia
Iri-Agha started from our forefathers and is said to have existed for more than hundred and fifty years.
We were introduced to it by our forefathers and we have continued with it since then.
Iri-Agha is a welcome song for the men.
It is used to celebrate the victory of men on return from war.
That is Iri-Agha.
On his head is the human head of his conquered enemies from the battle in honor of the men who had returned in victory.
That is that.
The headwear symbolizes strength in celebration of their war victory which is gifted to them on return from battle.
The human heads is only worthy to be carried by a mature man. Hence,
a man who is not worthy of carrying it would acknowledge the carrier on sighting him.
A woman is not permitted to touch the human heads.
we are hailed with the chant:
-mba! Mmammanu! -Waa!
-Igbo kwenu!This is considered the hero amongst them...the boss man.
He enjoys every benefit and devours goats and fowls.
He eats both the goat and the fowl.
He comes first before others.
This one is used to slaughter after the killing.
This one is used to dismember after the killing. That is the Opia, used by the men
This and the other one work together.
If this fails, the other will make up for it.
This one is beaten to a point that the men are seen drowning in dancing until they are all exhausted.
When the men are in the forest chanting war songs, this one called the whistle is used to sing to them to call-them out.
The dance is used to summon our ancestors,
who protects us from any form of ill luck.
When things go wrong, they will guide you through it.
This guides us in our decisions in momentsiof trouble and helps to summon our ancestors before us.