In Igboland, Iwa Akwa, also known as 'cloth wearing', is an age-long tradition that symbolises an initiation into manhood. It is a ceremony that entails the passage of a young boy transforming into a fullfledged man.

I witnessed my good friend’s Iwa Akwa ceremony at Obowo LGA in Imo State.

The event started yesterday 5th of January.

Fulaman198
Bigfrancis21
Odumchi
Lalasticlala

Morning

As the tradition demands, The participants will wait for their seniors at home to come and help them Tie the Clothes. Each participant will give the seniors N3500 before they Tie the Clothes.

Waiting for the seniors to arrive.

They're here.

Obi is truly now a man. He can dine with Kings and Chiefs.

From the house, they parade to Ekeala. All the participants will move with their family and friends.



Note: In a situation where the celebrant is not at home, any member of his family can represent him by carrying his portrait.

Was colourful.

Nairaland should have a platform where one can upload videos direct.

Prince2pac
Mariahangel
Pocohantas
99thEnemy



Please pardon me for taking time to upload the photos, the phone I took the photos was down and I'm out of town since.

How Old is the Nigga?

99thEnemy:
How Old is the Nigga?

All the ones I have seen, who did the same time with their set were all in their very early 30s.

Space Booker

pocohantas:


All the ones I have seen, who did the same time with their set were all in their early 30s.

Yeah, In Obowo the average age is 28-31, not same with Ihitte uboma. The average age in Ihitte uboma is 36-39.

cc: 99thEnemy

Kriss216:

Yeah, In Obowo the average age is 28-31, not same with Ihitte uboma. The average age in Ihitte uboma is 36-39.

cc: 99thEnemy

Chineke! Evening newspapers!

pocohantas:


Chineke! Evening newspapers!

Have sense this year, abeg

Kriss216:

Yeah, In Obowo the average age is 28-31, not same with Ihitte uboma. The average age in Ihitte uboma is 36-39.

cc: 99thEnemy

Yeah, Obowo and Ehime Mbano (Nsu) do theirs at a younger age (31 and below) but Ihitte uboma sandwiched between them do theirs at 36-39 but some are trying to cut it back by having it every 2 years instead of the 3 years so that in 10 years, 5 age grades would have theirs instead of 3 and expand the range of years of those who makes up an age grade because in the 60s they were in their mid 20s when they did it and started increasing, around 1985 it jumped to 30-31 and from 1997 they entered 33-34..........na so dem finally hit the 36-39 mark!

Kriss216:
Morning

As the tradition demands, The participants will wait for their seniors at home to come and help them Tie the Clothes. Each participant will give the seniors N3500 before they Tie the Clothes.

Waiting for the seniors to arrive.

Is that you?

So, you're from Imo state...

pocohantas:


Chineke! Evening newspapers!

I hukwa gi ehn...

Kriss ke'ebe igaziri, bia mechapu ihe imalitere...
would have loved to be there ooo, but my pocket be laughing at me..

Op, you didn't update on the 2nd day where they put on suits abi obowo's Iwe akwa is just one day.

It's been awhile I witnessed iwe akwa ceremony.

Sometimes in a family you will see three or four celebrating with life band and as kids then we were always excited.

It means plenty food to Chow.

beautyhd:
Op, you didn't update on the 2nd day where they put on suits abi obowo's Iwe akwa is just one day.

It's been awhile I witnessed iwe akwa ceremony.

Sometimes in a family you will see three or four celebrating with life band and as kids then we were always excited.

It means plenty food to Chow.

Plenty food no be small. Buhari economy no reach Iwa Akwa ceremony.

Great culture

Are from which side of obowo