Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Pierre Antoine
The Anambra State Government has approved the conduct of the 2026 Imo-Awka (Imoka) Festival in Awka, while imposing strict security measures prohibiting masquerades and participants from carrying dangerous weapons during the cultural celebrations.
The approval was confirmed in official communications issued ahead of the festival, which is scheduled for May 2026 in Awka, the state capital, and is one of the most significant traditional festivals in Anambra State celebrating the Imoka deity and Igbo cultural heritage.
According to the government’s directive, masquerades and other participants are strictly barred from carrying, brandishing, or using dangerous weapons such as firearms, knives, cutlasses, axes, or any other offensive objects during public appearances throughout the festival period.
The directive also includes a broader ban on cult-related attire and any behaviour capable of disrupting public peace, with authorities warning that violators will face sanctions under existing state security and public order laws.
The Imo-Awka Festival, also known as Imoka Festival, is an ancient cultural celebration of the people of Awka Kingdom, traditionally held annually between May and June in honour of Imoka, a revered deity believed to protect the community and bring peace, fertility, and prosperity.
The festival spans about two weeks and features major cultural activities including masquerade displays, traditional dances, rituals, and community gatherings, attracting thousands of participants and visitors each year.
Among the key attractions of the festival are masquerade performances, which historically represent ancestral spirits and play a central role in Igbo cultural expression, often accompanied by drumming, dancing, and communal celebrations across Awka and surrounding communities.
In addition to banning dangerous weapons, authorities also introduced movement control measures in previous editions of the festival, including restrictions on tricycles, motorcycles, and enforcement of security profiling for masquerade groups to prevent infiltration by criminal elements.
Community youth groups in Awka, in collaboration with cultural custodians, have also supported similar safety guidelines in past editions of the festival, emphasizing that masquerades must be properly identified and that extortion or harassment of residents would not be tolerated.
The Imo-Awka Festival remains one of the most prominent cultural events in southeastern Nigeria, deeply rooted in the religious and historical traditions of the Awka people, and continues to draw both local and international attention for its display of masquerade artistry, ritual performances, and communal unity.
The Anambra State Government said the 2026 edition must be conducted in an orderly and peaceful manner, stressing that cultural expression must not be used as a cover for violence, intimidation, or criminal activity.
Security agencies are expected to be deployed throughout the festival period to ensure compliance with the directives and to maintain public safety during the celebrations.
As preparations continue, residents and cultural stakeholders in Awka have been urged to cooperate with authorities to ensure a peaceful and successful 2026 edition of the festival.
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