From age 18, the Amaekpu young adults would begin to organize themselves “ifiwe uke” into a more formal age grade system, where their skills in leadership, oratory, organization, strategies, warfare and other aspects of life would be honed. Leadership of these groups were based solely on personal achievements and the amount of respect the leader has garnered among his/her contemporaries. These groups will bear the names of older and more established age grades. It is common to hear names such as Atuegwu 2nd, Ifuruaku 2nd, Atuegwu 3rd, Ifuruaku 3rd, Atuegwu 4th, Ifuruaku 4th and so on in alternate order.
Between age 40 – 50, the age grades would be expected to execute a community project, after which they are named (Iza Afa) by the Ezieogo. This is usually accompanied by a fanfare and merriments to usher them in the league of independent age grades. Having reached this milestone, the waiting-list status sets in preparing them for the final phase Otomu (retirement). The age grades would continue to perform community service until ages 60 – 65, after which they execute one last project. Thereafter, the age grade would be ushered into retirement with pomp and pageantry as they celebrate their Otuomu ceremony.
2019 Ogwotemba
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