Harvest of deaths as Odughohu Village, Ebonyi, buries 5
By Okoro Chima
It was moments of grief and sobriety as the people of Odughohu village of Amangwu Edda, Afikpo South Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, performed funeral rites in honour of their own who passed unto glory from April to October this year.
The incident started with the death of Late Mrs. Elizabeth Oko Chima who died on 2nd April, 2022 at a Hospital in Lagos State.
This was followed by the death of Late Mr.Joseph Ukpai Oge who passed on 12th July, 2022.
A week later was the death of Late Chief Osuu Christopher Ogbulu Okoro.
As if it was not enough, it followed with the death of Late Mr. Benedict Ibiam Oka, who died on 28th August, 2022.
Two days later was the death of Late Mrs. Mercy Anya Okoro which occured on the 30th August, 2022.
At this point, the villagers began to wonder what has happened that such a calamity has befallen Odughohu.
Not long after was the death of Late Mr.Godwin Agha Alum .
To cap it all, Late Mrs. Elizabeth Onu Imo answered the final call of nature.
As it is customary in Amangwu Edda that every burial must be conducted at the end of the month except the month of December; families who lost their loved ones thought it wise to fix the burials within the last week of November.
Thus, making the last weekend of November this year witness a kinda harvest of death which many have nicknamed week of the dead in the community.
Apparently, it would be observed that there were in Amangwu Edda, within this weekend, 12 burial ceremonies.
Odughohu village took a great chunk of the number – five (5), Amukwa village has seven (7) and Okpuma village two ( 2 ).
Recall that while late Mrs. Elizabeth Onu Imo’s burial was still in the pipeline that late Mr. Ukpai Oge was given an immediate burial.
Considering the small size of the village, it was pathetic for Odughohu to bury seven of her own.
Furthermore, Odughohu is one of the smallest villages in Amangwu Edda of Afikpo South Local Government Area, Ebonyi State.
As the two funeral rites will be conducted Saturday, we pray Almighty God not to allow this kind of sorrow to happen in our land again.
May He turn our cries to smiles. May He turn all the graves into foundation!
