The US-based Odenigbo Cultural Club recently held its inauguration /induction ceremony for members in Dallas amid pomp and pageantry. In a video shared online, members and their families, including friends and well-wishers, were seen dressed in Igbo attire, with their children speaking the Igbo language fluently.
It celebrates Igbo culture, tradition, and heritage in a foreign land.
The club’s founder, Engr Kelechi Eke, who also created the African streaming service Rootflix, advocates preserving and propagating Igbo culture and language through the club.
He said that his passion was driven by the need to save the Igbo language from going into extinction any time soon.
“I celebrate the vibrant tapestry of Igbo culture, a heritage deeply rooted in history that is alive and thriving in modern times.
“The Igbo people boast a legacy encompassing art, music, dance, language, and spirituality, all woven together by a profound sense of community and tradition.
Igbo culture’s heart is the value placed on family and community. The Igbo term “Nwanne di na MBA,” which means “a sibling is in a foreign land,” reflects the belief in togetherness and support. This philosophy extends beyond the nuclear family to encompass the broader community, such as the Odenigbo Cultural Club, emphasising the importance of unity and collective responsibility. By founding and creating this organisation, I now have many siblings overseas.
“According to UNESCO’s report on endangered indigenous languages, the Igbo language faces the risk of possible extinction in the next 50 years if nothing is done to revive it. This and the struggles that we face abroad in trying to teach our children the Igbo language and culture led to my vision to create the Odenigbo Cultural Club to do my part to preserve the Igbo Language and Culture.
“Since the formation of this club five years ago, I and the members have been teaching free Igbo classes through Zoom, led by Dr. Chikwendu Nweke and Engr. Chidi Nwankpa. Our children now look forward to Saturday mornings when they log into the convenient class and interact with their instructors and peers.
“The Igbo language, with its various dialects, is not just a means of communication but a vessel of culture and identity. Proverbs, folktales, and songs convey wisdom passed down through generations, connecting the past with the present.
“The Igbo language is a celebration of heritage, a reminder of who we are and where we come from. For these reasons, Odenigbo Cultural Club wants to uphold and teach it.”
Eke said club members want to ensure that the Igbo Language is taught in Universities and Colleges abroad and that an Igbo museum is established in Dallas, Texas.
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