Ughievwen set to host Ogbaurhie Festival of peace, friendship

Tuesday, August 27, all roads will lead to Aruorho Quarters Arena near Otughievwen Town Hall, Ughievwen, for the yearly Ogbaurhie Festival. According to a statement from the Coordinator-General, Prof GG Darah, “the Festival is our cultural Olympics; it is the symbol of Ughievwen and Urhobo civilisation.”

Likening the festival to other socio-cultural events in the world over, he said the 2024 Olympics, which ended in Paris early this month, originated from a traditional Greek festival in honour of a god called Olympus.

“It is now a worldwide event. In Nigeria, there are Igue Festival of Benin, which aimed at remembering the ancestors; the Osun Osogbo Festival, held in honour of the goddess of River Osun; and the New Yam Festival of Igbo people. Many festivals in the world started as events in honour of ancestors and deities. But they are now occasions for celebrating artistic culture, creativity, friendship, joy and peace,” he said.

The folklorist and culture aficionado said, “the yearly festival of Ughievwen people serves similar purposes. Ogbaurhie (The Mighty Power of Waterways) is in memory of the divine powers that guided Ughievwen people to victory during their exodus from Ogobiri, now Amasuomo, in Bayelsa State. For about 500 years, Ughievwen people have marked this historic occasion of triumph in times of challenge.

“There are religious aspects of Ogbaurhie where members of the four Ughievwen Fraternities gather at the Otughievwen waterfront to offer prayers for unity, peace, and prosperity. As in the case of the Jewish Ark, the officers of the Fraternities preside over these ceremonies; they receive tributes from grateful members seeking long life, increase, peace, and security.”

The cultural and merriment aspects of Ogbaurhie are scheduled for the market square of Aruorho Quarters in Otughievwen Town. The events will feature arts of Udje dance, Ikelike acrobatics, bridal pageant, fashion parade, fishing and agric technics and feasting (Onyevwen  ve Akperio) will hold, thereafter. Prizes and gifts are won by groups and individuals who excel in artistic displays and crafts.

“These are the ways Ughievwen people and their friends use the Ogbaurhie occasion to renew their positive energies and gifts of goodwill, friendship, and solidarity,” said Darah.