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Imo Awka festival (Imo Oka or Imoka festival) is an ancient cultural event that is celebrated annually by the people of Awka kingdom in the month of May in order to venerate their gods.[1][2] Imo-Oka shrine is symbolic and it is denoted by the special white-bellied monkey, widely respected and revered as the messengers of the shrine.[3]
The festival is basically celebrated to appreciate the Imoka god, for her favours and to request for much better years ahead. The festival allows for the people of Awka to look inward and thank the Imoka god for shielding them from external invasion and to pray for peace and prosperity of the town.[4]
- ^ "COVID-19: Anambra govt suspends 2020 Imo Awka festival". The Sun Nigeria. 2020-05-10. Retrieved 2021-08-14.
- ^ Chukindi, Joe (2020-05-25). "Awka youths dare Obiano, hold Egwu Imo festival despite ban". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2021-08-14.
- ^ "AWKA STANDS STILL FOR IMO-OKA FESTIVAL". Nigerian Voice. Retrieved 2021-08-14.
- ^ "Egwu Imoka: Putting Awka on festival map". The Sun Nigeria. 2019-07-10. Retrieved 2021-08-14.