Neni, Anambra

Neni (pronounced as Ne-ni by the natives), is an Igbo speaking town in Southeastern Nigeria.

Location

Neni is located in the Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State. Its geographic coordinates are 6" 09' 00 North, 7" 02' 00 East.[1] It also hosts the headquarters of the Anaocha Local Government Area.[2]

The present traditional leader of Neni town is Damian O. Ezeani (Igwe Ezeani Ugonabo).[3]

Its neighboring towns are Akwaeze, Oraukwu, Agulu, Obeledu, Ichida, Nimo, Aguluzigbo, Adazi-Ani, Adazi-Nnukwu, and Nri. Neni is made up of ten villages, namely: Umueze, Eziaja, Umudioka, Etitinabo, Ezineni, Umunri, Umuabani, Umukabia, Okofia and Ugwudunu.

Traditional festivals in Neni community

Neni has many cultural festivals that are being observed yearly; Igu Aro/Ogwe – performed by Okofia village on every 1st day of January each year at the Oye Market Square in the morning to herald the New year and its good tidings to the community. Village Days – observed on 26 December of each year such as Umueze Day, Eziaja Day, Umuabani Day, etc. It’s a day mapped out by some villages to interact and celebrate re-union of the villages with fan and fanfare. New outing of dances and masquerades are featured on that day.

Ufejioku Umueze – this festival is celebrated on every second week of August each year to announce the maturation of new yam as well as display the new yam harvested at "ODU UMUEZE " at the market square before new yam could be sold at Oye Market Neni.

New Yam Festival – this is celebrated on every third week in August each year at the Igwe’s palace with fanfare as dance and masquerades displays are featured with " Ndi Nze na Ozo and Igwe’s Cabinet present ", the next day is general Iwa-Ji by the community. Mmanka Arts and Culture– this is displayed by the "Nka Diokas " of Umudioka village at Mmanka stadium on every 31 December of each year.

"Itu Mbubu, Igbu-ichi, Iwa-eze, masquerades and dances feature in the Arts and Culture displays at Mmanka Festival. This festival attracts distinguished personalities from all over the country to Neni. Masquerade Carnival – The Masquerade Carnival display at the Oye Market Square by all the villages on 1 January, every year is synonymous to Neni culture as this festival attracts spectators from within Anaocha Local Government Area and environs.

People

Neni is the ancestral home of prominent Nigerians, including:

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References
  1. "Neni Geographical Location". Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  2. "Headquarters of Anaocha LGA". Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  3. "Current Traditional Leader of Neni". Retrieved 8 June 2017.

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