Anambra To Create Opportunities For Palmwine Tappers

The potency of undiluted and unadulterated palmwine sourced directly from the palm tree manifested itself when the Anambra State Ministry of Culture, Tourism, Diaspora Affairs and Indigenous Artworks organised a food and art exhibition in Awka the state capital. 

The occasion took the participants  down memory lane when natural palmwine was served with local delicacies like roasted meat garnished with local sauce like ugba, pepper, palm oil and the like.

It was a reflection of the days when civilization had not interfered with nature as fresh palmwine was readily available for people to refresh themselves.

Guests on the occasion were also treated to different local delicacies ranging from ukwa, akpu, ofe-egwusi, ofe-nsala, ofe-onugbu, ofe-ora, abacha to mention a few.

The medicinal value of some of the food on display was also explained to enable people to return to the natural ways of preparing food rather than artificial means associated with junk foods.

The food exhibition drew dignitaries from within and outside Anambra State who attested to the efficacy and richness of the types of food in the state.

The State Commissioner for Culture, Tourism, Diaspora Affairs and Indigenous Artworks, Barrister Salley Mbanefo, said to alleviate poverty in the country, opportunities should be created for business to thrive.

Barrister Mbanefo said palmwine tappers needed to be encouraged and supported as palm wine was symbolic in  Igbo culture and tradition.

Apart from creating opportunities for palm wine tappers, she also disclosed that the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, Diaspora Affairs and Indigenous Artworks had launched a portal she identified as Igbo-Made-Easy for Ndi-Anambra and Ndigbo in diaspora to learn and master Igbo language and culture.

She said the Anambra state government planned to revamp and upgrade all existing tourist destinations across the state and also refine its masquerade festivals for transcultural exchange.

The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, in his remarks noted that culture was key to man’s existence and identity.

He said the food and art exhibition was one of the ways to keep people abreast of the peculiarities of their cultural heritage.