The great Otamiri river is cherished from its devine mythological origin. The mythology indicates that Chukwu ( God )
lived with is chosen people of Ihiagwa , who recoursed to Him for their needs,
and as time .wen; the close relationship led to the involvement of Chukwu( God ) in petty needs of Ihiagwa people. The situation deteriorated to a level in which an Ihiagwa housewife went to Chukwu, and asked Him to reveal to her who stole her ogiri (a soup ingredient ). Chukwu was infuriated and consequently departed Ihiagwa for Arochukwu. It was then the loving Chukwu returned in the guise of Otamiri . It is reported that the Otamiri flows through deep in the forest between Ihiagwa and Nekede . The Otamiri has OHA priests (made up of eight members of the kindred of ihiagwa ). This OHA priests were to mediate between the people of Ihiagwa and the great diety . The OHA's were to pay a solemn visit annually to the Otamiri forest seat where they communed with him . This visit became the 'OKWU' festival in Ihiagwa.
The pilgrimage is usually taken in november and marks the beginning of the year. It is a twenty four hour pilgrimage, in which the sacred calenda is given by the Otamiri. On the OHA's return; they would summon the people of Ihiagwa and announce the decrees of the deity for the year. These decrees operated through Orettan clan. After the year , these decrees of the deity, the Aguzie Afo of Ihiagwa would declare the agricultural season of the year. After the Okwu , the planting season begins and nobody plants anything before this long pilgrimage. Other festivals like the...
ONUNU: This festival comes after planting season people from all over Oretta clan comes to Ihiagwa to sacrifice to the goddess ALA ( the goddess of the land ) and pray for good harvest .
ODU: This the new yam festival , in which the products are first offered to the deity for keeping them through to enjoy the fruit of their labour . The end of the Odu festival is marked by the beating of the OGBUDU AMOGU( Ihiagwa war drum ).
The otamiri watershed covers about 10,000 square kilometers(3.900 square miles ). The reverence to this great river still stands till date. This river is being loved by all due to its many purposes and its also known by some people as OT beach ( mainly by students and village youths who live and play close to the river ). Otamiri is a river like no other.
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