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The 2023 IKEJI UTUTU Annual Cultural Calendar and activities offer an extensive timetable of cultural events and traditions unfolding in Ututu during the months of August and September. This calendar serves as a cherished means to uphold and commemorate the rich cultural heritage of your community.

We formally present the 2023 IKEJI UTUTU Annual Cultural Calendar and associated activities on behalf of the Ututu Leadership Forum. This calendar outlines the significant cultural events and traditions scheduled to occur from August to September:

• August 20, 2023 – Eke Mkpabiga
• August 24, 2023 – EKE Ibuo Ogo Amaeke and Amodu Villages
• August 25, 2023 – ORIE Ibuo Ogo for Ukwuakwu Village
• August 26, 2023 – AFOR – Ibuo Ogo Amasa, Nkpakpi, and Amaebem
• August 27, 2023 – NKWO - Farm Preparation
• August 28, 2023 – EKE Ibuo Ogo for Amankwu, Obiagwulu, Ubila, Amaetiti, Obiene, Abuma, Ugwuogo, Ohomja, and Amakofia Villages
• August 29, 2023 – ORIE Nwa Ekpe – Obiagwulu Village clears Uzo Ukata and brings back nwa-ekpe from ukata.
• August 30, 2023 – AFOR Nwa Ekpe – On this day, Ekpe-ukpa Amakofia Ututu dances around the 19 villages of Ututu
• August 31, 2023 – NKWO  – Farm preparation
• September 1, 2023 – EKE Okwukwu  – "Ipatu Ikoro" by Prominent Families in the 19 Villages of Ututu. On this day, Ofo Ututu has come down, and no burial takes place until Ikeji Ututu ends.
• September 2, 2023 – ORIE Wororo  – The newly wedded ladies (last year December) are prepared for womanhood.
• September 3, 2023 – AFOR Wororo  – "Idu-ule" by the parents of newly wedded women. Afterward, the newly married and other women converge at Achi Amaeke Ututu to showcase their Wororo dance.
• September 4, 2023 – NKWO Nku  –  The newly betrothed ladies (nde nzuzu) carry firewood to their fiance's family members.
• September 5, 2023 – EKE Odu  – Harvesting of Yellow yams (Oku) for nfijioku rituals.
• September 6, 2023 – ORIE MBU  – This is Traditional New Yam Festival Day characterized by charity and exchange of gifts. It is the 1st day on which the main Traditionalists taste the new yam. Goats or Fowls are killed by Umu-Ofor Families who brought down their wooden gung (ikoro).
• September 7, 2023 – AFOR Mgbeji-ewu  – This day derives its name from the sharing of the lungs & liver (mgbeji ewu), heart, and kidney, which were slaughtered on Orie Mbu.
• September 8, 2023 – NKWO  – Harvesting of New Yams continues.
• September 9, 2023 – EKE Nne  – Nuclear Family and Extended relatives day of charity.

NME-NME IKEJI UTUTU - 9/9/2023

1. September 10, 2023 – ORIE   – Family visitation continues.
2. September 11, 2023 – AFOR   – Charity Continues.
3. September 12, 2023 – NKWO Egwu  – The Native Doctor's display.
4. September 13, 2023 – EKE Ichikoha Mkpaghara / Ichula nmuo  – End of the Ikeji Cultural calendar (Ofo Ututu ala elu). Traditional burial rites commence round the 19 Villages in Ututu.

In conclusion, Ututu stands as a vibrant community within Igbo land, located in the South East of Nigeria, where the enduring culture, customs, and traditions hold a place of utmost importance. Among these cherished traditions, the Ikeji Ututu Festival stands as a profound legacy, revered by all generations of Ututu residents, symbolizing the deep-rooted cultural heritage that continues to thrive within this community.