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Golibe Festival is a modern annual arts, music, culture, family and community festival held in Onitsha around the Christmas and New Year period. Golibe in Onitsha dialect means "to rejoice". It was established as an initiative intended to promote Onitsha's culture, community identity, tourism and local economic activity. Activities included street carnivals, masquerade displays, cultural dances, music concerts, highlife performances, drama, comedy, football competitions, food and culinary competitions, arts and crafts exhibitions, children's entertainment, pageantry and crossover/New Year events. Golibe is particularly associated with the end-of-year homecoming period, when Onitsha indigenes and visitors return to the city. The festival provide opportunities to experience Onitsha food, music, arts traditional performances and contemporary entertainment in one programme.
Golibe Festival, which simply means 'To Rejoice’, is a festival in the City of Onitsha, that aims to demonstrate to the world the city's rich cultural history. It is an art, music, culture, family, and community event From Christmas Eve to New Year, Golibe brings together residents of Anambra and the whole of southeastern countries and visiting indigenous people from the Diaspora.
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Palace of Obi of Onitsha
Ime Obi Ọnịcha is the official palace and traditional headquarters of the Obi of Onitsha, serving as the cultural, historical and administrative heart of the Onitsha kingdom. Historically, each of the two royal clans Okebunabo and Umuezearoli maintained their own palace (Okwu Eze) until 1984 when the current Ime Obi was established at Ezechima Square. The sacred complex includes the palace grounds (Ilo-Eze) and the public entrance (Onu-Ilo-Eze). The palace features the traditional courtyard where court sessions are held every Wednesday. The Obi and Ndichie (chiefs) preside over the court sessions and cases are being settled among grieving parties. The palace also features an art gallery, a library, conference halls and pavilion (where visitors and indigenes sit when there's an event). The throne room (also known as Iba Ofufe) is where the Obi hosts and receives visitors. In the palace ground, there could be found several busts of past kings of Onitsha.
Ofala Eze Ọnịcha
Ofala is the best known traditional festival of Onitsha and the high point of its ceremonial cycle. Usually held in October, it centres on the annual emergence of the Obi of Onitsha from seclusion. The festival features the Obi in royal regalia, appearances by the red-cap chiefs (Ndichie), royal music and drums, traditional dancing and cultural performances. Ofala has also developed into a wider cultural programme, with associated activities including the Oreze international art exhibition, Ofala Youth Carnival and medical, health and wellbeing outreach. Different age groups also perform on the second day of Ofala making it a very colourful event. Ofala ceremonies are always held in Ezechima Square, Onitsha.
All Saints
All Saints' Cathedral the seat of the Anglican Diocese on the Niger. The cathedral has an important place in the history of Christianity in Onitsha and southeastern Nigeria. The Anglican mission established its presence in Onitsha in the 19th century, while plans for the cathedral developed in the 20th century. Its foundation stone was laid on 9 November 1949 by Sir John MacPherson, then Governor-General of Nigeria, and the completed cathedral was dedicated on 1 November 1992. The cathedral is also a prominent architectural and historical landmark in the city.
Zik Statue
The Statue at DMGS roundabout in Onitsha is a bronze sculpture created by Nigerian artist Ben Enwonwu in 1964. The existing monument was substantially remodelled in 2018 under Governor Willie Obiano, when its pedestal was reconstructed and raised and the surrounding roundabout was redesigned with elephant tusk and bead sculptures reflecting Onitsha's cultural heritage.
It's one of the city's most distinctive contemporary public artworks. It was created and installed in 2018 and forms part of the major remodeling of DMGS Roundabout. The sculpture consists of five enormous tusk-like forms arranged around the central monument of Nnamdi Azikiwe. It is said to represent the traditions of Onitsha while some say it represents the five Southeastern states in Nigeria.
This place is amazing for shopping. It's a place where you can get all kinds of footwear at a very affordable rate. It's also one of the big markets in Onitsha.