About Us

Ekwema Cultural Heritage Foundation

Ekwema Cultural Heritage Foundation (ECHF)

Ekwema Cultural Heritage Foundation (ECHF) is a not-for-profit and non-political organization of indigenes of Owere Nshi Ise (Owerri Municipal Local Government Area). It is committed to fostering peace, harmony, and sustainable development in the Owerri Municipality.

Membership is open to indigenes of Owere Nshi Ise with very high morals, integrity and sense of purpose. The activities of the Foundation are open and transparent.

Aims and Objectives of ECHF

To promote the history, culture and tradition of the indigenes of Owerri;
To promote wealth creation, skills acquisition and capacity building among the indigenes of Owerri;
To work closely with the Owerri Community Assembly (OCA) for the sustainable development of Ugwu Ekwema Heritage Centre; and
To partner with relevant organisations/entities in the private and public sectors at local, national and international levels, for the achievement of the above objectives.

Our Philosophy

Our Logo

Our logo is a representation of Owere Nshi Ise as a people bound by common culture and heritage.

The five lobes represent our five villages: Umuororonjo, Amawom, Umuonyeche, Umuodu and Umuoyima;
The five lobes arise from a central spot which represents our founding father, Ekwema Arugo;
The central spot is circled by a blue ring, representing our two rivers – Otamiri and Nworie;
The colours in our Logo:
- Red signifies strength and resilience;
- Black signifies deep cultural heritage, fertility and enormous human and material resources;
- White signifies peace, unity, hope, progress and godliness; and
- Blue signifies love, empathy, and our two rivers – Otamiri and Nworie.

Historical Background of Ugwu Ekwema

The Ugwu Ekwema Heritage Centre represents our symbol of oneness, unity and common heritage. It is our traditional assembly ground. Over the years it has become the fulcrum of the celebration of our culture and history, and solemn remembrance of our founding father, Ekwema Arugo. It is also the:

Oru-Owere Festival

Oru Owere festival is an annual event of the indigenes of the traditional five villages (Umuoronrojo, Amawon, Umuodu, Umueche and Umuoyima) that make up Owere Nshi Ise – the Owerri Municipal. The event is celebrated every year at Ugwu Ekwema Heritage Centre in remembrance and commemoration of the first place of settlement and sanctuary of our founding father, Ekwema Arugo.

Every year during the festival, the various Age Grades/Groups (Ebiri) will dress in their different colourful ceremonial outfits and undertake exuberant and lively procession with pomp and pageantry, passing through the five villages before assembling at Ugwu Ekwema Heritage Centre as the final lap of the cerebration. At the Centre, the traditional rite, which may be termed “Feast of Passover” is performed, which includes the roasting of yam and eating it with red palm oil as our founding father did when he first arrived at Ugwu Ekwema with his family during their migration from Uratta.