Veteran Nollywood actor Kanayo O. Kanayo has sparked a conversation online after sharing a video of a significant family moment. The actor, accompanied by his two sons, visited the graveside of his late parents in his hometown in Imo State.
A Lesson in Tradition and Respect
The visit, which took place on Saturday, January 3, 2026, was documented by the actor himself. A key moment from the footage shows Kanayo performing a traditional Igbo practice known as igo mmuo, which involves pouring libation to honour deceased ancestors.
In the video, the actor is seen pouring water on the graves while offering prayers in English, asking for blessings and protection. He was keen to clarify the purpose of their visit to both his sons and the wider audience watching online.
"We are not here for any ritual, we are here to pay respects," Kanayo stated emphatically in the clip. He explained that he regularly visits his parents' gravesite to pray for the repose of their souls whenever he is in his place of birth, but this was the first time he brought his children along.
Instilling Cultural Values in the Next Generation
In a caption accompanying the Instagram post, the actor elaborated on his intentions. He revealed that the visit was a deliberate effort to instil important cultural values in his sons.
"On this visit, I took my sons to observe the tradition. Hopefully, they will do the same for me," Kanayo wrote, ending his message with the Igbo phrase "Ya gazie," which translates to "so be it" or "amen."
He expressed gratitude to his parents, stating, "I come here to remember them in my prayers for giving birth to someone like me who has become important all over the world."
Mixed Reactions from the Public
The video quickly went viral, drawing a wide range of reactions from Nigerians on social media. The responses highlighted the ongoing tension between traditional practices and modern religious beliefs in the country.
Some users praised the actor for keeping his heritage alive. One comment read, "Our tradition our heritage keep it up sir," while another stated, "That's how it should be done. A mixture of tradition, cultural values and education."
However, others criticised the act from a Christian perspective. Comments included, "The bible warns us about necromancy," and "This is a bad practice. The dead has nothing to do with the living. You can't pray to dead people." Another simply called it a "Waste of time and water."
This event follows recent news where Kanayo O. Kanayo also defended the cultural practices of his hometown, Mbaise in Imo State, regarding discussions on bride price, arguing against generalizations about expensive demands in the southeast.
