Nchaka Festival is synonymous to the people of Ogba land in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State with it’s headquarters in Omoku.
Nchaka festival is performed for the purpose of cleansing the land from evil spirits and mortals and also for the celebration of a bountiful harvest. According to speculations, the Nchaka festival dates back to as old as the origin of the Ogba people.
The Nchaka festival is a culture rich festival with a display of skills, strength and mystical powers. The last four days and after the festival, the Oba of Ogbaland makes his proclamation.
On day one of the Ogba land festival, the oldest woman in the community dresses in traditional make fabric known as Akwefe from her shoulder to her waist and holds a burning firewood in her right hand, she is accompanied by women of the community dressed in casual rapper and blouse in the order of seniority, walking barefoot behind the oldest woman to mini Omoku (Omoku river) for the procession of the cleansing ritual. At the river, the oldest woman begin with incantations to invoke their ancestral spirit known to be in support of the cleansing. The oldest woman makes more incantations to drive away evil spirits and mortals, back luck, illness etc after which the burning firewood is passed round and thrown into the fire. Then everyone goes to their various homes accompanied by their family member waiting close by.
On day two of the Ogba land festival, food is prepared in groups/clans and taken to the oldest man in each family where all the women eat separately from the men.
On day three of the Ogba land festival, merriments continues, which goes on till the fourth day.
On day four, everyone goes to the four village square with excitement of the activities of the festival. Cultural dance are performed, wrestling contest and display of mystical powers.
On day five, the people of Ogba land gathers for the Oba of Ogba land to give his blessings which marks the end of the Nchaka festival and everyone goes home.
