A violent south gale on Saturday brought down the long expected drops on the roofs, on the roads and in the fields, then everywhere became cool and wet. It was the first rain of the year and it happened in Owerri and its environs on an Eke Market Day, the 9th day and second week (izu) of the Igbo first month of Onwa Mbu which began on the English valentine day (14th February, 2025).
To many people, the first rain is believed to bring blessings as the attendant coolness blights away the heat wave which residents have had to endure through the period of scorching dry season.
Incidentally, the first rain also helps to blow away the dustiness in the bush and enable the farmers to prepare for bush clearing.
Residents excitedly reported the first rain which started around 4.00 O’clock in the evening in different parts of the city with some believing it was a good omen for the year. In some places, some claimed it was mere shower while others acknowledged downpour in their various locations.
A social media user with the name, Prince Tochi N… at the moment wrote, “Raining at World Bank with light thunder storm. To God be the glory for giving us rain to alleviate the heat.”
Another writer named Cliff David Nna… from Irete adds, “Raining here in Irete too.”
MSMART Electrical said ,”Finally, it rained at Amakaohia at midnight. Sleep sweet like Jesus. No heat at all.”
Those that had initially claimed that showers was what they had in their locations would later write in to acknowledge heavy downpour in their various areas.
Usually, people are only used to two main weather conditions. It is either the Rainy Season or it is the Dry season here. The only weather that comes closer to third season is the harmattan period.
Some people tend to hinge their prediction of the years farming fortune on when and how the rain comes. That was in the former times when the society depended on agricultural economy. When and how the rain falls could determine the yield at the end of farming season because the crops needed the rains to survive and to grow.
Cajetan Chukwuemeka Nkwopara is an Owerri-based Journalist.