Culture in Diversity - Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic Cultural Day, A grand finale

It is the custom of the Polytechnic to hold cultural day each year. It is usually the event that concludes the students week. When I was a student in this same school, I loved thile cultural day more than any other events.

The events that marks the students week include Departmental/school days, rag day, Jean carnival, jersey day and finally cultural day. This year, I attended as a lecturer and I was able to attend the department day, school day, jersey day and finally, cultural day.

Unlike the other events, the cultural day is done as one even though each tribes prepares differently. The Dean of the students affairs organises this event where everyone is invited and there will be displays.

This year's cultural day was held on the 31st of August at the school Auditorium. By 11am, I was already seated and everyone took. Then the Rector came in with his men and sat down. Then other dignitaries were recognised, then opening and welcome speech by the students affairs Dean was the next. After that, the Kola nut was presented as it should traditionally. What that means is that all the tribes were called upon to pick kola after blessings by the tribe on whose land the event was taking place which is the Ngwa land. Next, everyone was served the kola nut including myself.

The judges were introduced who will judge the performances of all the tribes and declare winners.

Then Rector gave his own speech and then the various tribes present, about 11 of them where invited to take turns to greet us the members. Each one with their unique greetings styles and in their languages. Trust me, it was very unique and colourful. Since we were using the auditorium because of rain, then 2 opposite doors were opened to form entry and exit doors. The judges took note from their entry to their greetings and to their exit.

Then, it was time for their presentation. Each tribe came in turns with what they are known for including their food, their craft, their produce, richly prepared food and everything that represents them and sets them aside from others. They have their king, queen, masquerade, their dance style and so on. They also dressed uniquely, in fact, my eyes rejoiced for being present.

Each of them presented all what they came with through the Rector to the Judges. They all did from the first to the last. The spectators including myself cheered those who were are delighted with their performances. I was so much impressed with the performances of 3 tribes including the Akwaibom people, the Ngwa and the Abam. I came from Abam, my husband is from Ngwa and we just relocated from Akwaibom and so I was impressed with what they did.

Food were served to us seated. The Rector had announced that he had approved a d arranged a lot of foods in varieties. There were rice, native beans, pepper soup, roasted plantain and fish, then lots of wine and so on. I was personally served roasted plantain, Ugba and roasted fish. I truly enjoyed this food. It was my favourite among all the food presented.

When all the tribes were done, music was played and we danced. I personally danced when my local music was played. It was wonderful. Later, the result was announced and guess who won? The Akwaibom people won 1st place, the Ngwa people won 2nd place while the Abam people won the 3rd place. We all applauded them.

But the Rector announced that they will all receive equal amounts, both those that won and those that didn't. He said that all of them did their best and that he appreciated them all. To me, it was fair because cultures and traditions can't be equated everyone is unique in their own way.

We all enjoyed the moment and then by 6.30 pm, we dismissed.

My Daughter who went as a student dressed in her best too. My son joined me even though he isn't a student but in such environment, no one knows who is a student and who is not. Even my husband went too. They couldn't have missed it.

I have included some pictures for you to see how it all went. The video I have included is that of the Akwaibom people. In fact, to be frank, they are the only ones I took interest in videoing. I so much enjoyed their performance including their masquerade.

	myself and my colleagues
My kids and myself
	myself at the Auditorium
My senior colleagues
	the judges
Spectators
	buffet
The presenters in front of the Rector

My Rector announced that next year's cultural day will be better than this year's and that we may even have it in our permanent site which might be ready before then. I can't wait. It was awesome 😎!

IPFS Video