Egwu Ogba Festival of Ogba Egbema/ndoni Local Government Area (onenlga ) Rivers State Nigerian

August 29, 2008

Ogba is an ethnic group that made up the population of 356 tribes in rivers state Nigeria, with a population of about 480,000 people with a land mass of Approximately 2600 square meters, agriculturally rich with the best aqua cultures in Africa at Omoku and are naturally endowed with thousands of natural resources. The uniqueness of it all is their cultural heritage which include New Yam festival (Egwu Ogba), Masquerade display and Traditional Wrestling that showcase the culture of the Ogba people to the fullest.

Egwu Ogba festival (New Yam festival) is an annual celebration of the people of Ogba Kingdom, during this period, the people try very hard to give peace and love a chance devoid of any sort of political undertone. It is a period of giving and sharing with fellow family members and relations. They are, however, celebrated in accordance with the native calendar of the Ogba people which is in August. And it is considered the last month of their year. The Uniqueness of the Ogba New Yam festival (Egwu Ogba) is the harvesting of new yam to mark the celebration. The paramount ruler of the Kingdom known as Eze Ogba will formally announce the date in four market days in advance to declare open the celebration and he shall instruct all the 82 town and villages to prepare their self for the celebration.



On the last market day the celebration begins with the interpretation of the Ogba culture and norm to the younger generation. The eldest man of every community assembled in their various town halls to reinstate the need to pass the culture of the people to the younger generation born and yet to be born. After that he will start by telling the story of how Ogba people came in existence by narrating the order of birth in their communities and how the fore fathers live their lives compare to the life today. Prior to the conclusion of the story telling, the young adults are asked to start a masquerade (Owu) display in their respective communities all family urges their children to see the need while they should partake in the dance which serves as an entertainment period for the people. For no one is allow going for farming, because the King has earlier send message to all families to go and harvest enough food that can lasts for two weeks. After the expiration of the two weeks, there is a two days break and the Kind send the second announcement round again, it says there should be no farming for the purpose of the fest is to compel every one to have a rest from working.

And next is the traditional wrestling, Traditional wrestling is a popular activity in most region in Nigeria. It is seen not only as a competitive sport, but also as a way to exercise and a chance to entertain in the ceremonies of the village. In the past, it served three important roles in Ogba Kingdom: It prevented fighting; it also involved exercising - to make our body healthy and it kept them able to fight in a battle if needed. Nowadays, the younger Ogba generations wrestle as a competitive sport. They also take part for fun on special occasions, such as Ogba New Yam festival, on such occasions, the wrestlers walk from one place to another to find competitors. It would be incorrect to assume that this was not an activity for the fairer sex. Many women take part and have done so throughout the history of the sport. Sometimes, even beating the most experienced male fighters, during a special ceremony in Ogba kingdom, the young wrestler, with a strong body and a great love for this sport, begins by choosing his competitor. He does this by shouting: Come and pay for the food - what this means is that since we eat the food in the Festival day therefore we must entertain on this happy occasion to thank those who offered the food. After saying this he jumps and runs around topless through the crowd in the pagoda, showing off his techniques and his physique. A few minutes later another person will reply, Here is the food payer and then he does the same as the first man.

They have found a competitor.

The competition attracts many villagers, who either stand or sit in a circle and cheer for the man they support. An old man, who is usually an old-hand wrestler, is an adjudicator for this game. Before competing they talk about the rules and what kind of competition it will be - just a friendly spar, showing their techniques or until death. The latter is not very common nowadays. During these bouts, passions run high for competitors and the audience alike. Sometimes the supporters get carried away and fight amongst themselves, wrestling first appeared when the Ogba Kingdom was being established.

The uniqueness of it all is their cultural heritage, which include New Yam festival (Egwu Ogba), Masquerade display and Traditional Wrestling that showcase the culture of the people to the fullest.

Egwu Ogba festival (New Yam festival) is an annual celebration of the people of Ogba Kingdom, during this period. Celebration begins with the interpretation of the Ogba cultural norms to the younger generation, The eldest man of every community assembled in their various town halls to reinstate the need to pass the culture of the people to the next generation born and yet to be born. The young adults are asked to start a masquerade (Owu) display in their respective communities, also instructing all parents to urges their children to see the need while they should partake in the masquerade display which serves as an entertainment period for the people. Also take part for fun on special occasions, such as Ogba New Yam festival, on such occasions, the wrestlers walk from one place to another to find competitors. It would be incorrect to assume that this was not an activity for the fairer sex. Many women take part and have done so throughout the history of the sport, Sometimes, even beating the most experienced male fighters.

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