REFLECTIONS ON THE WAYS OF ND’ EHUGBO (AFIKPO)
(By G A Agwo)
AGBASI OTO EHUGBO
Originally published in AFIKPO TODAY magazine: Vol. 2 No. 1 (Jan – Jun 2000)
“Oto” refers to the dregs of palm wine while “agbasi” or “igbasi” is an Ehugbo (Afikpo) expression for pouring. The lexical meaning of libation is (pouring out/gift) offering of wine etc. to a god…
In Ehugbo only male traditional elders of Esaa age grade and above usually pour the libation but in extreme circumstances an Ekpuke Eto may be called upon to do it.
Until recently, only the dregs of palm wine was used but now, virtually all kinds of alcoholic wine, raffia palm wine (ngwo), all types of lager beer and spirits are allowed. However, any brand of stout, guinea corn drink (burukut) and soft drinks are still not allowed.
It is said that the essence of pouring libation is to remind us of our dead forefathers who are in the great beyond. They have to be given their share in whatever is celebrated with wine. A typical elderly man’s house, even now, has a well-designed round pot-hole (nsusu) in the centre of the floor or at the head point where the dead ancestor was buried. However, cementing of floors these days makes it imperative that any floor space can serve as the nsusu. There, the dregs are poured for the unseen ancestors.
At the appropriate time, the wine for pouring the libation is handed over to the most elderly man from that community who is present. He starts off with an artificial cough which is a man’s way of expression, Itu ekiri. That also serves as a warning that everybody should be quiet and listen. Those who crossed their legs must open them. (For the benefit of our non-Ehugbo readers, the incantation is written in English Language).
The incantation prayers go thus: Nkpoghoro (village group), come and drink wine, Ugwuegu, come and drink wine, Ohaisu, come and drink wine, Itim, come and drink wine; Ozizza, come and drink wine. All attachment gods (chikwokwo) come and drink wine.
Having called on the ancestors from the five village groups that make up Ehugbo, the incantatory gets down to specifics based on the compound or village where the ceremony is taking place. For instance if it is at Ngodo it might go like this.
“Urobo Chiali come and drink wine, Eluu Chiali come and drink wine, Eluu Akpu Inya come and have your own, Enya Diegwu, come and drink wine, Egwu Oko Nnali, come and drink wine. Those I have called should please call others. Our life, may we live long”.
As the last drops of the dregs are poured out, the onlookers answer in a unison: “let it be as you said.” Ndu ayi o
The man who poured the libation leaves the empty cup on the floor for the younger ones to remove. He is then congratulated either verbally – jokwa, idike etc or by giving him some money for his snuff. Silence is thus broken. Conversations may then resume.
Once this is concluded the ceremony is as good as closed. Any one just visiting is expected to leave.
