THE URHOBO PEOPLE
The Urhobo King of Oria Kingdom
The Urhobos are people of the southern Nigeria, near the
North-Western Niger Delta. Urhobo is the major ethnic group in Delta state
which is one of the 36 states of the federal Republic of Nigeria. The Urhobos
speak the Urhobo language and their culture is related to several cultures in
the Niger Delta. The Urhobo nation is made up of twenty-four (24) sub-groups,
including Okpe which is the largest of all.
The king of Urhobo which is known as Ovie, is the highest
political figure in the kingdom. He is the symbol of his kingdom’s
culture and also of his royal predecessors. His councillors are called, Otota (speaker), Ohoveworen Okakoro, addressed collectively as Ilorogun (singular: Olorogun). Other title holders are the executioners (Ikoikpokpo) and warriors called Ogbu.
culture and also of his royal predecessors. His councillors are called, Otota (speaker), Ohoveworen Okakoro, addressed collectively as Ilorogun (singular: Olorogun). Other title holders are the executioners (Ikoikpokpo) and warriors called Ogbu.
A number of Urhobo cultural divisions have other titles
other than Ovie; the Okpe call their traditional ruler Orodje,
Okere-Urhobo call theirs Orosuen, Agbarho uses Osuvie,
Orogu uses Okpara-Uku (mainly due to their proximity with Ukwuani people)
and the Urhobos in Olomu kingdom call their king Ohworode.
The Urhobos have several festivals but the most prominent
ones are;
·
Eravwe Oganga (Huge Beast) of Ohworu festival of
Evwreni people.
·
Iyeri festival of the Ughelli people.
·
Okere-Urhobo festival of unity.
Some of the notable people from Urhobo include;
·
Felix Ibru (Nigerian Architect and Senator)
·
Alibaba Akporobome (Comedian)
·
Richard Mofe Damijo (Actor and Politician)
·
Chief Onanefe Ibori (Former Governor of Delta
State)
Just to mention a few.
The Urhobos have two foods that are considered to be Urhobo
in nature and they are; Ukodo (a yam and unripe plantain
dish), and Oghwevwri/Starch. Other delicacies are Amiedi or Banga
soup (Palm nut oil soup). Culinary delicacies include Iriboto, Iriberhare
and
Okpariku.
The Urhobos have a popular belief that an unfaithful wife
will be punished by the Erivwin (supernatural).
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