Intro: Ọhafia is a town in Abia State in Nigeria, it consists of 26 communities with Elu as the ancestral capital. Many people have asked questions about the Ọhafia War Dance.
In the olden days, Ọhafia was known for their bravery during tribal wars. At present, Ọhafia is still known as the land of warriors. It was said that they were as strong as lions. They engaged in so many wars and never lost in any battle. During any battle, they made souvenirs of their victims’ heads which they cut off and took home leaving the lifeless bodies to indicate that the person was killed in battle. Till this present Ọhafia is addressed as Mba Bu Ishi Achọ Ishi* (carrying ahead and yet looking for another). It was indeed the land of great warriors.
Ọhafia War Dance is popularly called Ikpirikpi Ọgụ (a practice of beheading the enemies). Ọhafia War Dance is a dance of victory by Ọhafia warriors, which included chanting war songs during inter-tribal wars and drumming after defeating their warriors. This dance was indeed incomplete without the presence of a human head because this was an indication that they have defeated their opponents. But in this present day of civilization, human heads are no longer featured in the dance.
Learn the Igbo language and culture here.
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*Ishi: Ọhafia’s dialect says Ishi instead of Isi, which is the Central Igbo language meaning head.
