NDÈLÉ PROCESSION
NDÈLÉ
HIGH
CHIEF OLLORWI OSARO
Introduction
Ndèlé
is a customary provision that allows a woman to manifest her personal wealth by
publicly transferring part to another woman for the purpose of conferment of
the prestigious title of Ɛmɛrɛ Ɔwa
with all the prominence which custom grants to such a person. It is a deliberate action by a woman to
enrich another. The Eleme Culture designed Ndèlé
as a traditional means of Economic Empowerment and Wealth Transfer among the
female folks. In transferring wealth, Ndèlé has helped empower many couples
and give autonomy and self-sufficiency to several families in Eleme.
Purpose of Ndèlé
The established process
of economic empowerment and wealth transfer known as Ndèlé has hitherto transformed the lives of many families. It is
also an attainment for social recognition and status conferment among our
female folks. Ndèlé ensures that the
title of Ɛmɛrɛ Ɔwa cannot be assumed overnight
without being formally confer with it, after due process and especially meeting
the minimum requirements of Otora Ndèlé.
The benefactor, i.e.,
the woman performing the Otora Ndèlé
must examine herself fit for the exercise and buoyant enough to meet all the
requirements. She must carefully select the beneficiary, who in most cases will
be her daughter, junior sister or niece.
Material for Otora
Ndèlé
The list of material
for Otora Ndèlé is endless as new and
expensive things are introduced from time to time in line with changes.
However, the following are prerequisite: Different Varieties of Yams, Cocoyams,
Sugarcane, Beans, Pepper, salt, palm oil, Pumpkin, One Plantain Sucker, One
Basin of Garri, Big Dried Fish (known as ete njira), and a female goat. Also to
be included are various sizes of aluminium pots, plates, basins, axe, kettle,
matchet, trunk boxes, bicycle, trinkets, gas cooker and cylinder, sewing
machine, trays, tripods, cups, mortar and pestle, sieve, cutlery and so on.
When the materials for Otora Ndèlé are assumed to be complete,
leading women in the community will be invited to inspect all the materials
which will be laid out in a room. The women qualified to carry the materials
are compound members, relations of the celebrant, members of her age-group and
other female members of the community. That is, the more the materials, the
more the number of women to carry them.
Ndèlé Song
And apart from the
bicycle which may be rolled along with the entourage, every single item will be
carried by a woman on her head as they sing the Ndèlé song:
Ndèlé Etoo Hey yaa hey
Ndèlé Esaa Hey yaa hey
Ndèlé Ojaku
(Ojakpo) Hey yaa hey
Ndèlé Onwie Hey yaa hey
Ndèlé Njae Hey yaa hey
Ndèlé Akpikpe Hey yaa hey
Ndèlé Abã Hey yaa hey
Ndèlé Day
Otora
Ndèlé is usually performed on Ɔbɔ and it is never carried
to a widow, spinster or a woman not currently married to a man.
Ndèlé Procession
Only a married first daughter who have
acquired the Ɛmɛrɛ Ɔwa title leads the NDÈLÉ procession,
first round their own community to announce their departure and then to the
recipient community. One of the leaders will carry a heavy metal gong which she
will sound monotonously as they walk along. This will continue until the
entourage reaches their destination and is received by members of the age-group
or friends of the husband to the recipient.
Reception Rites
Custom demands that
both the recipient and her husband must hide themselves in nearby compound and
remain there until they are sent for, while their friends will help the
entourage to settle down. When the entourage has finally settled down, the friends
of the couple will now help them to come and see the gift items which will be
announced to them as they move from their hiding place to their own house.
In the spirit of welcoming
the entourage all the necessary rites will be performed in the recipient’s
house before they will begin their journey back home.
Conferment of Ɛmɛrɛ Ɔwa
Title
The arrival of the
entourage back home begins another round of celebrations by the celebrant who
joyfully receives the entourage and praises them for safe delivery of all the
items. After a period of singing, dancing and merriments, the leader of the Ogbo Ɛmɛrɛ Ɔwa
of the community will formally announce the emergence of a new Ɛmɛrɛ Ɔwa
and the celebrant in response will thank all present for honouring her by
admitting her into the Ɛmɛrɛ Ɔwa Eleme Hall of Fame and
wish them safe journey to their various houses.
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