A Taste of Ohafia: Exploring the Rich Culinary Heritage

When people think of Ohafia in Abia State, the first images that often come to mind are its rich history, vibrant cultural traditions, and reputation as the home of fearless warriors. Yet, beyond its celebrated heritage lies another treasure that deserves equal recognition, its distinctive cuisine. The traditional foods of the Ohafia people reflect generations of indigenous knowledge, communal living, and a deep connection to the land.

One of the most cherished dishes in Ohafia is Isu, or yam, which is regarded as a symbol of prosperity and hospitality. During festivals, family gatherings, and important ceremonies, pounded yam is commonly served with richly prepared soups such as Ofe Akwu (palm fruit soup), Ofe Onugbu (bitter leaf soup), or Ofe Oha, all made with fresh local ingredients, smoked fish, meat, and traditional spices.

Cassava also plays an important role in the Ohafia diet. It is processed into garri, fufu, and abacha (African salad), a delicacy mixed with palm oil, potash, garden eggs, ugba (oil bean), pepper, and fish. Another favourite is Ukwa (African breadfruit), cooked with palm oil, dried fish, and spices to create a nutritious meal enjoyed across southeastern Nigeria.

Vegetables such as ugu (fluted pumpkin), oha, ukazi, and bitter leaf are widely cultivated and feature prominently in local soups. These dishes are often accompanied by fresh palm wine, creating a complete traditional dining experience.

Food in Ohafia is more than nourishment; it is a symbol of identity and togetherness. Meals are shared during festivals, marriages, naming ceremonies, and community celebrations, reinforcing family bonds and preserving cultural values. Many recipes have been passed down through generations, ensuring that the flavours and cooking techniques remain authentic.

As Nigeria's culinary heritage gains international attention, the traditional foods of Ohafia deserve greater appreciation. Their unique flavours, nutritional value, and cultural significance make them an essential part of Abia State's rich cultural landscape. For visitors seeking an authentic taste of Igbo tradition, a meal in Ohafia offers not just delicious food but a memorable journey into the heart of one of Nigeria's most culturally vibrant communities.

MODELA Couture Lands Major Role at Papyfire Fiesta 2026

Fashion designer MODELA Couture has been unveiled as the Fashion Runway Team Lead for the forthcoming Papyfire Fiesta 2026, an event that promises a vibrant blend of fashion, entertainment, and fun.

According to the official announcement, the event will feature a Fashion Runway, Rave, and Funfair, bringing together fashion enthusiasts, creatives, and members of the public for an exciting celebration of style and culture.

The fiesta is scheduled to hold on 22 August at TRCH, Victoria Island, Lagos. Organisers are encouraging attendees to "Come with your friends" for what is expected to be an engaging day of runway presentations and entertainment.

MODELA Couture's appointment as Fashion Runway Team Lead is expected to add creative direction and professional expertise to the event's fashion showcase, highlighting emerging trends and innovative designs.

For enquiries, interested participants can contact the organisers via papyfirefiesta@gmail.com or visit the official Instagram page @papyfirefiesta for updates.

Artist–Gallery Dispute Escalates as Mbongeni Buthelezi Alleges Unpaid Sales, Unreturned Artworks; Uniquity Art Gallery Cites Lawsuit

(One of the artworks by Mbongeni Buthelezi. The artist alleges that some works consigned to Uniquity Art Gallery in June 2025 remain unreturned, while payment for at least one allegedly sold work remains outstanding. Uniquity Art Gallery disputes the allegations and says it is pursuing legal action against the artist.)

A dispute between South African artist Mbongeni Buthelezi and Cape Town-based Uniquity Art Gallery has intensified after the artist publicly accused the gallery of failing to pay for at least one artwork allegedly sold and of not returning the remainder of 11 works consigned to the gallery. In response, the gallery says it is pursuing legal action against the artist.

Olumide Oresegun Marks 15-Year Journey with Threads of Heritage at Mydrim Gallery

Hyperreality painter Olumide Oresegun is set to present his latest solo exhibition, Threads of Heritage – Cultural Weaving, at Mydrim Gallery on Saturday, July 18.

The show will celebrate a significant milestone in his career, marking 15 years of artistic practice. Over the years, the gallery has hosted four of the artist’s solo exhibitions, beginning with Moment of Reason, his debut solo presentation, and continuing to support his creative evolution.

Widely celebrated for his technically accomplished hyperrealist paintings, Oresegun's latest body of work represents a new direction, examining the intersections of culture, identity, memory, and heritage.

Oresegun explains that the thread in the exhibition functions as both a symbolic bridge and a structural foundation, connecting the striking portraiture for which he is known with richly detailed still-life compositions. He describes cultural identity as a blend of the image people present to the world and the quiet domestic objects that preserve personal and collective histories.

Through portraits concealed behind reflective sunglasses and meticulously rendered copper vessels, lace, and other everyday objects, the artist explores what he calls the materiality of memory. Rather than serving as simple props, these objects become vessels of heritage, carrying stories across generations and linking the living subjects of his paintings to the traditions that shape them.

According to him, the weathered textures of antique objects mirror the resilience and complexity of the human spirit, revealing how history is embedded not only in people but also in the things they treasure. By bringing together contemporary portraiture and traditional still life, he seeks to transform a modern pop-inspired aesthetic into one rooted in cultural continuity, inviting viewers to see every interaction and cherished object as an act of preserving lineage.

Reflecting on the artist’s remarkable journey, Mydrim Gallery describes the exhibition as a celebration of Oresegun’s evolution from a promising realist painter into one of Nigeria’s most acclaimed hyperrealist artists. His work, the gallery notes, continues to challenge, inspire, and captivate audiences while expanding conversations around identity and heritage.

Threads of Heritage – Cultural Weaving will be on view at Mydrim Gallery from July 18 to August 8, offering visitors an opportunity to experience a compelling new body of work that bridges tradition and contemporary artistic expression.

By Udemma Chukwuma

Meet Ayodeji Kingsley, the Chemical Engineer Who Found His Voice in Sculpture

Ayodeji Kingsley

In a world increasingly grappling with environmental concerns and the relentless march of industrialisation, a Nigerian-born artist, Ayodeji Kingsley, is forging a powerful dialogue between the discarded remnants of our modern lives and the enduring spirit of nature.