Mbari Cultural Centre

Mbari Cultural Centre: Home for Igbo cuisine, gods and goddesses
JANUARY 28, 2012 BY NONYE BEN-NWANKWO
Apart from serving as a tourist attraction, the Mbari Cultural Centre, Owerri, Imo State, is significant to Igbo cultural history and tradition, writes NONYE BEN-NWANKWO Nigerias South-East might be known for its rich tourist attractions, yet only very few centres have been able to generate as much interest from visitors as the Mbari Cultural Centre. Situated in Ikenegbu Layout in the centre of Owerri, capital of Imo State, which is in itself the heartbeat of the entire region, the centre comprises the Mbari House, Mbari Museum Kitchen, and an amphitheatre. The Mbari House is sometimes referred to as the house of gods. It is a traditional art and craft centre dedicated to Chukwu Abiama, the supreme deity in Igbo mythology, which also shelters various sculpted figures or artefacts that depict the cultural heritage of the Igbo. The house, which could easily be mistaken for a shrine on account of its contents, stands near the entrance to the centre. It contains images of the various deities that inhabit the traditional Igbo cosmic system. The centre, Sights & Signs of Nigeria learnt, is run by the Imo State Council of Arts and Culture. The director of the council, Nkem Okpara, said it was established in 1980. She says, This place was established five years before I started working here. Apparently, the idea of a cultural centre of its kind, a three-dimensional cultural facility, was conceived with the construction of the house of the gods principally in the minds of the authorities.
Also central to the concept of the house was the need to preserve ancient encodings of the daily life, actions and thoughts of the Igbo in mud, all of which provide glimpses of the social, political and cultural history of the ethnic group. Thus, boasting a rich collection of artefacts in different forms, the house tells the story of peoples lives and their histories. There are sculpted images of the beast, the plastic form of symbols of prominent deities such as Ala, the goddess of fertility, Amadioha, god of thunder, Ogwugwu, god of the forest god, and others. Closely attached to each deity are images of monkeys, rams, snakes and owls. In ancient Igbo mythology, these are believed to represent errand spirits or mystical messengers of the gods and goddesses. Other works available in the shrine include the Ikoro, an instrument used among the Igbo to communicate important messages from one village to another. Memories of unusual sightings and creatures, such as Eyi Nnunu or ostrich, are also preserved in the house. Opara conducted SSN on a tour of the centre, beginning with the Mbari House. Pointing to a certain tall figure, she said, This figure represents Alakuko, the tallest man in Igboland. The name was given to him by a white man who once visited this part of the world. Also, there are figures of Agbara, Chukwu, and Nwaorie. This one here is titled Onye afo toro. It depicts a man with a protruded tummy, who committed an offence and was buried in the evil forest. There are many other artefacts. We have the best assemblage of what a tourist centre should have. But in spite of its attractiveness and obvious potential as a tourist restort, the Mbari Cultural Centre look like a deserted place. Although Opara insists that tourists have been coming to the centre SSN investigation shows that only a handful actually visit there once in a while. People do come here. Some people, especially pupils, have heard of it and they always pay us a visit, she says. The smell of cooking, an appetising aroma, wafted suddenly from the direction of the Museum Kitchen, as our correspondent tried in vain to obtain permission from the director to take photoshots of the objects in Mbari House. Mbari might be an open air museum, but visitors are not allowed to take photographs. A notice board with the message No picture or video boldly written across it stands inside the shrine, as Opara explains that visitors and tourists are not allowed to take shots of the shrine just like that. She says, If you have to take a photo shoot of this place, you have to pay for it. It is a way of generating funds for this place. Then again, we found out that people take the pictures of
the shrine and go and sell them at a very exorbitant price. That was why we had to put a stop to it so that they can stop making money from this centre. A visitor named James Umunna, who described himself as a lover of art, said the constant urge to visit the cultural centre was the reason why he always brought his wife and children to the centre anytime they came to Nigeria on vacation. Umunna says, We dont live in Nigeria. Abroad, a place like this would have been a beehive. Im surprised that this place is not promoted as it should be. What we have here are things that the Igbo people are known for and it will be ideal for the Igbo to know their roots. That is why I always bring my kids here every year we come home. Interestingly, a different atmosphere prevailed at Mbari Museum Kitchen. While the sculpted images in the House silently moaned in pain for want of attention, a babble of excited voices occasionally rose from the kitchen. Established in 2003, the kitchen is a popular night spot where visitors are entertained with highlife music. The management is currently involved in a research that is aimed at discovering and trying new ways of preparing and serving Igbo dishes. Also an amphitheatre is located in the premises. With a capacity to seat about 3,000 guests at once, the amphitheatre comes with an ultra-modern hall to be used for exhibitions.
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Mbari Cultural Centre: Home for Igbo cuisine, gods and goddesses

JANUARY 28, 2012 BY NONYE BEN-NWANKWO

Read 132 times

More Stories in Sights & Signs

Culture, tradition on parade @ Elegba Festival

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