Contrary to some popular claims that the Igbo people of Nigeria migrated from Israel, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has debunked such claims, stressing instead that the Jews actually left Igbo land for their current location in Ethiopia, Israel and around the world.
The Ooni who is also a Co-chairman of National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, seriously frowned at the notion Ndigbo have been holding that they migrated from Israel.
The monarch who was speaking during the Aje festival at his palace in Ile-Ife, Osun State, pointed out that the role played by Ndigbo of the present day Eastern Nigeria in the development of popular Igbo-mekun, Ojaife, market in Ile-Ife cannot be over emphasized.
For those not familiar with what Aje means, it means wealth, thus the meaning of the Aje Festival, is a Festival of Wealth.
For those who know better, the mythical meaning of the Aje, relates to those who are successful in business. And to ensure that there is more wealth in business, it is important to pray for this wealth.
The day of the Aje is recognised to be on Monday, Ojo Aje, in Yoruba parlance. In the practice of the Aje Festival, business men and women would purchase a white pigeon, which is a symbol of purity and peace.
The Ooni leads the procession to the Idi Aje, this is the shrine where the Aje deity resides. After prayers with the pigeon at the Idi Aje, the pigeon is set free.
However, according to the Ooni, ‘’in the ancient days, Ndigbo were part of the natives in Ile Ife from Omirin quarters, we were one big happy family before they left Eastward to where they are today from where a section of them left in a clockwise migration to become Jews. That is why there are enormous similarities between the Jewish and Igbo tribes till date.
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‘’We must go back to our history, this celebration belongs to all, including our brothers and sisters from the Eastern part of this country. Igbo people are naturally part of this celebration, because Nigeria’s economy won’t be complete without emphatically mentioning them.’’
