WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE OHAFIA WAR DANCE

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE OHAFIA WAR DANCE

Ohafia is a town in Abia State. The town is were renowned to be mighty men of war who were always ready for war. The warrior tradition remains one of the integral identity of the people of Ohafia is hinged on ikpirikpi ogu.
This is the practice of beheading a fallen enemy. A skull is a proof of a man’s courage and strength. Only those who brought home a human head are eligible to join the Ogbu-Isi society. They wear an eagle’s plume which is a symbol of courage.
The dance is performed to celebrate an individual’s achievement.

The dance is headed by a lead dancer carrying a basket full of human skulls while holding a short cutlass and a small palm shoot in his mouth.
His fellow dancers are dressed fiercely like warriors miming while dancing to the music from the akwatankwa musical instrument whichs portrays Ohafia as a land of brave warriors.
The Ohafia war dance now a popular war dance performed in several parts of Igboland.

The dance which originated from Ohafia is performed by a group of muscular men in remembrance of their strength in fighting and winning wars in the past.