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Enugu Hosts Maiden South-East Mmanwu FestivalBy Emmanuel Nzomiwu, Reporter, EnuguEnugu State has been selected as the host of the maiden edition of South-East Christmas Mmanwu (Masquerade) festival, which is slated to hold between December 5 and December 12, this year. The National Council for Arts and Culture is providing technical support for the event, which has attracted sponsorship from various corporate bodies including telecom outfits and financial institutions. Briefing newsmen at the National Research Centre for Masquerade Tradition in Enugu on Tuesday, Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Onyema Nwodo, said that the forthcoming Christmas Mmanwu Festival would serve as South-East version of Agogo Festival and Osun Oshogbo of the South-West. Nwodo, who is the Head South-East, National Council for Arts and Culture, disclosed that the maiden event is being organized with the support governors of the five states of the South-East and pan Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo. Describing the Mmanwu festival as a vehicle for unity in the South-East zone, he said that subsequent editions of the event are going to be held in a rotational basis among the states that make up the zone. Nwodo noted that Enugu was chosen for the maiden event as a result of the historical place it occupies as the capital of the old Eastern Region and defunct East Central State among others. He said: "We don't see South-East Governors Forum as the only vehicle for unity. Research has shown that Mmanwu festival could be a vehicle for pursuing unity in the South-East. Of course, we have the Iriji (new yam) festival that is done in the individual communities by the Igwes. But Mmanwu is something that is common to every Igboman," Nwodo said. He warned however that the organisers would not accept the use of black magic or voodoo by the participants, pointing out that the planning of the event to coincide with Christmas was borne out of the realization that most Igbos are practicing Christians. According to a programme of events released by the Central Planning Committee, the Festival would commence with a one-day special Mmanwu colloquium on December 5 at Hotel Presidential, Enugu. It would also feature one-day carnival floats round the major streets of Enugu metropolis and a three-day Mmanwu masquerade display at eight designated venues in Enugu metropolis and Ninth Mile Corner, Ngwo. There is also going to be a pole to pole city Mmanwu carnival that would feature the widest spectrum of all categories of Mmanwu in Igboland before the event is rounded off with a one-day cultural dance, sing songs and native dressing competitions at the Michael Okpara Square in Enugu.
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