The Iden traditional wrestling festival was one of the festivals celebrated by the people. It was a festival celebrated in remembrance of the warriors that lost their lives during the past wars.
It was also used as a time for graduation of wrestlers from one age grade and category to another as well as the initiation of able wrestlers into warriors which is the village army.
The festival was very special to the people because it was not an annual festival; but held at intervals of every three years. It was an entertainment festival for everyone in the village and beyond.
Furthermore, Iyama, whose birth was surrounded by two mysteries, was born on the first day of the great festival. So, the festival was special to him; because his birthday celebration was part of the opening day of the festival, just as the opening day of the festival celebration was part of his birthday.
To crown it all, Iyama had in the last fifteen years of his life taken active part in the festival celebration. But these were in the junior wrestling categories where he had performed excellently and wonderfully well by dominating all the age grades in the categories as the champion of champions, master and teacher.
The traditional wrestling festival was around the corner. It was to be held at it's usual time in the next full moon.
Therefore, preparations were in the different age grades and categories were training so hard to ensure that they put up a wonderful performance during the great festival.
It was during this wrestling festival that Iden wrestlers were given the opportunity to wrestle with other invited wrestlers from friendly communities or villages.
Over the years, Iden wrestlers had never fallen short of dominating their visitors. Also, it was a time when Iden village maidens were given the opportunity to showcase their talents in various cultural dances as a way to display their culture and provide entertainment for the people.
Now, Iyama was in the senior wrestling category which was far above his age. This category was totally a different group in Iden traditional wrestling. A group full of strong, powerful and skillful wrestlers that comprised the warriors in the village general army.
So, everyone in the village looked forward anxiously to see what Iyama "the great cat" would be able to do in the senior category during the festival. But to Iyama, "the great cat", nothing was new because he was born wrestler and a warrior.
He was only looking forward to the festival period for his birthday celebration and a time to change the turn of events in the senior wrestling category. Indeed, he was ever ready for any wrestler that would cross his path in a contest on the wrestling ground.