The government and administration of the Egbela affair is vested in the members of this Association, while the chief priest confines his activities to the spiritual aspect of it, involving sacrifice. The Association of Ndi Omume is the supreme authority of the Egbela cult affair. To qualify to be a member of this association is not easy. Before reaching this level, a member must have deeply and actively participated in Egbela cult activities and shown real interest. Besides, the person must have passed through the other stages of lower rank called Iwu Ndi Nnunu. Omume Agbala takes all your wealth, including yams, money, and the rest of them. A whole yam barn full of yams on both sides may go in. At times, some of the old members are tempted to make it very difficult for the aspirants. In fact, it is At times, some of the old members are tempted to make it very difficult for the aspirants. In fact, it is expensive, but prestigious. The Association of Ndi Omume is the life wire of the Egbela cult. Their rules and regulations are very rigid, like the laws of the Persians and the Medes that alter not. The members see about the strict adherence to the Egbela regulations and impose sanctions on erring members. They also regulate and check the excesses of overzealous members. Omume people share and enjoy the things accruing from the aspirants to the Association. They are rich and happy during the Egbela season. The non-members have no say. They are only to be seen and not heard. Although they have their own share of the food, Omume members take the lion's share. Мale initiation into the Egbela cult is the first step towards becoming "a man". Any male who has not been initiated into the Egbela cult, the social downgrading is carried out to the extent of disallowing marriage or indeed sexual intercourse. There are two stages of initiation. There is the primary initiation, followed by another of a higher order. Elders often refer to the primary initiation as "Ichu Eja," meaning consecration to god. The higher order is called "Ibi Ugwu.” Initiation into the higher order gives one the status of a full initiate. The primary initiation is in two parts: physical, involving paramilitary and endurance training, and the other, spiritual, involving initiation into the cult of Egbela worshipers. If a man has undergone only the primary initiation with the higher order still outstanding, he can not, of course, come out but hide indoors with the women on occasions when the higher order”.  OUR HERITAGE A REFLECTION OF NKPORO CULTURE By HRH Eze U. O Agbaeze (Otam 1 of Amurie).

 In the time of yore and even now, any boy or man who has not joined the Egbela cult is referred to as Ofeke, meaning a weakling or a woman in general term,s because they are seen as one. Let’s look at what a cult is and what a culture is. Cult according to Google A cult is a group characterized by an unorthodox belief system and ritual practices, often revolving around a charismatic leader who demands complete and unquestioning loyalty. So it is right to say that Egbela is a cult. Islam is a cult as they give their unalloyed loyalty to a leader and they also perform rituals. In the same vein, Christianity is also a cult because it meets the definition of what a cult is according to Google. However, there’s a difference between an open cult and a secret cult. Egbela, Islam, and Christianity are open cults. Don’t rush, just calm down. I know someone is fussing… Drink water and breathe in and breathe out. Let’s continue! What is a culture? Again, Google is our friend and we are going to ask it again! Culture is the complex, shared system of learned behaviors, beliefs, values, customs, knowledge, and material objects that define a group of people. It encompasses both tangible aspects, like art, architecture, and food, and intangible elements, such as language, religion, traditions, and social norms, which guide a group's way of life and create cohesion. Culture is dynamic, not static, and it evolves, with new elements constantly replacing older ones. Again, Egbela is a culture even in Islam and Christianity. Are Egbela members, Ufie Ufie members?  We have simply defined Egbela, and let’s look at Ufie Ufie according to Prof Obasi Igwe in his book “Nkporo: The History of An Igbo City State From Antiquity To The Present”.  He defined “Ufie Ufie as a shadowy criminal secret cult and terrorist group, with an estimated population of not up to one per cent of the otherwise entirely peace-loving Nkporo people, which has since a very long time bedevilled the peace, security and development of the society, infiltrated he governmental and public institutions, divided the people into the true and the non-true citizens, attempted to bury the facts of her history, polluted the minds of the youth and diverted them from the path of righteousness, and particularly responsible for sowing in the mid-1940s, but especially since December 1953/January 1954, the seeds of the protracted bitterness, division, and hatred in the land (Nkporo)”

From these two definitions, Egbela members are not Ufie Ufie members because Ufie Ufie is a “secret cult” while Egbela is an “open cult.” Nigerian law and Abia State law are against secret cults. They forbid secret cults, although it is primarily enforced through state-level anti-cultism laws and legislation, such as those in  Abia, Kwara, and Edo states, etc, with the federal Criminal Code also containing provisions against unlawful societies. These laws prohibit the establishment, membership, and activities of secret societies and cults, imposing penalties like imprisonment and property forfeiture for offenders.  Every member of Ufie Ufie underwent Egbela, but not every Egbela member is a Ufie Ufie because Egbela is classified into two main ranks, which are “Ndi Omume (The higher rank) and “Iwu Ndi Nnunu” (Lower rank)”.

Is Egbela registered under CAC like Churches do? 
Who are the Eddas and who are the Nkporos?
The origin of Egbela, etc, and many more we will look out in our next week's post! 
Don’t miss it for anything; invite your friends, colleagues, well-wishers, and even religious opponents because nothing is hidden under the sun.
It is Nkporo O’Clock
Photo Credit: Agwu Imo Ude