Kalabari people, FUKS Igira-sira in Port Harcourt as 33 towns, villages set for burial of Amanyanabo

On November 23, some Kalabari people alongside members of Federated Union of Kalabari Students, FUKS, in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, headed by Alabo Dr Kellyiyi Chika Kelly Ibama and Mr. Asemebo, took to the streets to perform Igira-sira, as part of activities marking the historic burial of King TJT Princewill, Amanyanabo of Kalabari kingdom.

Residents saw the colourful parade along major streets of the city centre, just as about 33 towns and villages simultaneously took part in the Igira-sira, which is the act of people engaging in singing and dancing publicly in celebration of an event.

The late King who was the former chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers, will be buried on November 29 and November 30, 2023, at Buguma City, headquarters of Asari-Toru local government area with participants expected to be drawn from all over the world.

A fortnight ago, the chairman of the Central Working Committee (CWC) for the burial, and only son of the late Monarch, Prince Tonye Princewill, had disclosed at a press conference that activities lined up for the burial had commenced and would continue until after the remains of the Amanyanabo had been committed to mother earth.

Speaking at the Presidential Hotel in Port Harcourt, Princewill said some of the activities would include novelty football matches, environmental sanitation, and cultural displays among various others.

According to the chief mourner, the burial of the late monarch would be the first pan-Kalabari funeral in the history of the kingdom, because all the towns and villages that make up the kingdom would participate.

Prince Tonye revealed that all Traditional rites including the killing of animals and smearing of the animals’ blood on the late Amanyanabo. He stressed that it is important to clarify that these rituals will be strictly observed and does not in any way preclude the conduct of the Christian rites, because he late King had during his lifetime handed over the Kalabari Kingdom to God before his death.

Others at the Press conference include: Sir Opunabo Inko Tariah, Sir Ngo Martyns Yellowe, who are Chairman and deputy chairman of the media Committee respectively, Chairman of the finance committee, Dr. Emi Membere-Otaji and Chief Prefaa Otaji.