Obi of Onitsha performed Umato ceremony

The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, has flagged off the 2016 Ofala Festival sponsored by grand masters of data, Globacom, by performing the traditional Umato ceremony.

According to Onitsha tradition, the Umato signifies the end of the planting season and the beginning of the period of harvest by the people of the kingdom.

The ceremony was also replicated by other key families in their homes after the event and signaled the commencement of the good season.

Celebrated annually by Onitsha people, Ofala festival commemorates their triumph over the Yam crop.

Globacom took over as the main sponsor of the festival in 2011 and the 2016 edition marks the 6th time that festival will be under the partnership.