The Onitsha Ofala festival has been going on for about 700 years now, since time of Eze Chima, the first monarch, who migrated to Onitsha.
In the early days, the King of Onitsha (Obi of Onitsha) was always confined to his palace. The responsibility of administering the community was assigned to the elders, known as the Ndi-Ichie.
The Obi only made public appearances during the yearly Ofala festival. Â Â
The Ofala festival is celebrated only once a year in the month of October which coincides with the celebration of the new yam.Â
About four days before the festival, the Obi goes into seclusion to commune with his ancestors, and to thank them for protecting him and his subjects for the past one year as well as pray for peace and prosperity in the year to come.
