The great Owhurie cultural
festival is a colourful ceremony celebrated by the people of Agbarha Kingdom,
Warri of Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. The festival
is held every two years “Bi-en-nial” within the month of April of that year.
It is war like festival popularly
called “Agbassa Juju” dated 15th century ago, the kingdom consist of
seven satelite towns, namely Otovwodo (Head Quarters), Igbudu, Edjeba, Okurode,
Ogunu, Oteghele and Ukpokiti. Oteghele and Ukpokiti are in the riverine areas
of the Local government.
The date of the festival is
chosen according to the Urhobo native market days by the Olowu and the elders
of the Kingdom where the respective towns are expected to come in a dance
procession with their war like costumes i.e Red, Black and White, Cutlasses,
Axe with the native basket, escorted with the sweet Owharien (native flute). Both
men, women, boys and girls participate. Agbarha Kingdom Warri also celebrate
Oghoje, Esie-mo and Eyirin festival they are highly significant to the people
of the Kingdom, it brings peace, wealth, good health and fertility as believed
upon. The Idju festival begins with the arrival of the Olowu, Okoabridju, Ogre,
Arijo and the Olotu field marshal.
The moving forest signifies the
arrival of the Olotu which usually add glamour to the occasion. The eight feet
drum is beaten by the drummer (Ogre) and the booming sound is heard over 10
kilometers away. The warriors begin the frenzy dance characterized with
fearsome clashing and clanging of machetes and cutlasses, the sound of the drum
goes with smaller xylophone like wooden instruments accompany the booming sound
of the Ogre and the sound is wondrously pulsating and vollicking beat of
immesuitible traditional Urhobo festival music. The heavy drum used on this occasion
i.e every two years.
The Owhurie cultural festival is
a very significant festival to the people of Agbarha Kingdom, Warri. It brings
all sons and daughters together; it also symbolize the identity of the people. It
is synonymous with the Urhobo identity of Delta State and the festival is known
worldwide.
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