The Important of "The Iruen" (Clothing ) Ceremony Among Esan People.

By Prince Kelly O. Udebhulu.

Esan has a very rich tradition and cultural festivals. Masquerades' dancing and other ceremonies through which the people dedicate themselves to God, purify both the land and people, initiate men or women into various age-grades, marriage ceremonies and annual family/clan get-together. Whichever event, it is always colorful.

One of the most profound and enduring is "Iruen" (the platinum age rite of transition clothing) ceremony.

Though with little variant in Esanland. It is a scintillating transition to the platinum age group.

It involves both male and female. Females are recalled from where-ever they got married, to join this wonderful age.

Key amongst the reasons is to celebrate their longevity and to take care of them as family clan. And after their death, bury them in the ancestral tomb.

It is often not done in group. The celebrant male or female chooses a date suitable to them. 
 The ceremony is breath-taking, during which the celebrant will reap a flamboyantly woven wrapper; do what looks like a last home stretch procession around each houses that constitute his or her homestead and from one clan to another announcing his or her platinum's status to the public and receiving cash gifts from appreciative well-wishers.

Iruen (clothing) ceremony is a critical milestone in Esan land. The ceremony is highly celebrated across Esan land due to its common significance. It is performed by both male and female who has attained this crucial platinum age and possibly with children. To migrate into the Edion group in the village's hierarchical age grouping (most senior citizens), there are limitations apart from being qualified by age, one must have performed the burial ceremonies of one’s late parents and did the Iruen ceremony before being accorded an Odion Status.

The nature and customary requirements of the ceremony vary from phase to phase, depending on “common hardship and necessity”. The central significance here is that it is considered to be a thing of happiness to attain the age required for the ceremony.

As regards the male, once he successfully performed this rites, the social status of the celebrant within the community changes. Whatever providence holds, from then on he is strictly regulated by certain laws calculated to make him live honorably for the rest of his or her life. He could be made the Odionwele if he becomes the oldest man in his village.

...to be continued.