Festivals of Delta state include Ikenga and Ukunta (Aboh), Okere Juju (Itsekiri), lwuyi and Osoezi (Agbor) Aborebele Oge and Sogbein festivals (lzon).
These festivals mark the harvest seasons, appeals to gods for purification of the town, commemoration of ancient expeditions or reminiscences of or tribute to tribal heroes.
Warri, Delta State
Festival Ogbanigbe
Description This festival is for purification of the land in readiness for the celebration (annual) of the new yam festival. War songs and dances feature prominently during this period, the elders pay tribute to their ancestors.
Town Obior
LGA Aniocha North
Period September
Festival Egwu-Afa
Description This festival is for purification, cleansing of the land warding off evil spirit. It is characterised by the displays of some energetic young men who after taking some portions, are believed to possess the power to cap- ture the evil spirits, place them in a calabash and throw to the evil forest.
Town Obomkpa (annual)
LGA Aniocha North
Period February
Festival Ishe
Description Ishe festival is celebrated with funfair and pageantry for peace, progress and preservation of cultural heritage. Songs are specially composed to ridicule bad members of the society. The highlight of the festival is dancing and jubilation for survival at the old market square and regatta display on River Umomi. It is an important event attraction.
Town Ewulu
LGA Aniocha South
Period February (biennial, 2000)
Festival Ine
Description This festival is celebrated for peace and unity. It is marked by the paying of tribute by members of the various quarters to His Royal Highness, the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku.
Town Ogwashi -Uku
LGA Aniocha South
Period Sept. / Oct. (annual)
Festival Okele-Oke
Description The festival is celebrated to promote and preserve the cultural heritage of the people. The highlight of the festival is the Oki and Okele-Oke masquerade display, dances and chases.
Town Torugbene
LGA Burutu
Period February (annual)
Festival Awozi-Owu
Description The festival is in honour of Awozi-Owu masquerade who is believed to bring more births in the community. The highlight of the festival is the display by the elegant and colourful Owozi-Owu masquerade.
Town Obotebe
LGA Burutu
Period January every three years
Festival Oguberi
Description It is celebrated in honour of the deity “Oguberi” the principal benefactor of the community. The highlight of the festival are masquerade displays and dances.
Town Kiagbodo
LGA Bomadi
Period December
Festival Olou-Owei
Description Olou-Owei is a masquerade festival celebrated in honour of the principal deities in the town. It features a colourful display of masquerades
Town Bomadi
LGA Bomadi
Period March
Festival Ovwuvwe
Description This festival is celebrated for protection. On the festival day, young men who had gone for hunting for seven days carry their animals and dance around. The female blessing is received at Abraka Inland with the chewing of orhe (native white chalk)
Town Abraka
LGA Ethiope East
Period May
Festival Egba
Description This festival is celebrated to protect the land and its inhabitants from external attacks. Being a festival depicting war, the celebrants use charmed cutlasses and guns.
Town Kokori
LGA Ethiope East
Period February
Festival Edjenu / Ekene
Description The festival ushers in abundant blessings for the general growth and development of the land. Participants are young men and women. The highlight of the festival is the climbing of a tall tree beautifully decorated in assorted colours by a participant who is regarded as the “up god”.
Town Oghara Clan
LGA Ethiope West
Period Every 25 years(2007)
Festival Ore
Description This festival is celebrated to honour the gods of harvest and war. The Oghorughoru makes offerings to the war gods. The inotus (warrior group) feature prominently during festival.
Town Oghara
LGA Ethiope West
Period Sept/Aug
Festival Igwe
Description It is celebrated to honour the adventurous warrior-king and founder of Owa-Kingdom. The highlights of the festival are preparation and construction of masks, mock coffins, playing of mock orale and cleansing of the land known as “Ilu-Ubiri”.
Town Owa Kingdom
LGA Ika North East
Period February (annual)
Festival Irua-nmo
Description The celebration of this festival is aimed at warding off all evil in the land. (annual) Sacrifices are offered to different gods such as god of iron. The highlights of the festival are Owowo dance, flogging and wrestling.
Town Umunede
LGA Ika North East
Period Sept. / Oct (annual)
Festival Osiezi
Description The celebration symbolises a call on all people to come and witness the cultural heritage of Agbor. It is aimed at perpetuating the glory and splendour of Agbor Crown – the great “Dein” monarchy. Owowo and “Izabu” song is sang with reverence.
Town Agbor
LGA Ika South
Period Sept. / Oct. (annual)
Festival Igwe
Description The festival was originally associated with a victory at the end of a tribal war, in which those who survived marked such occasion with great joy and thanksgiving activities.
Town Alisime, Alihiame, Agbor-Nta, Oki
LGA Ika South
Period March/April
Festival Eriokpe
Description This festival is celebrated to usher in peace and rich harvest. During the period of the festival, the people solicit for protection and blessing.
Town Ozoro
LGA Isoko North
Period April (every five years)
Festival Owise-Owhe
Description It is the god of war believed to protect Owhe people during wars. It is celebrated for peace and child production. This festival is characterised by singing, dancing and eating.
Town Oruovo
LGA Isoko North
Period April (every three years)
Festival Eni
Description Eni is a goddess of purity, peace, prosperity and protection against evil. It lives in a lake at Uzere. It was once used as an ordeal to prove wickedness as practised by witches and wizards who were dropped into the lake. The lake is now a sanctuary for aquatic animals.
Town Uzere
LGA Isoko South
Period April (biennial, 1999)
Festival Abame
Description This festival is associated with initiation into manhood. Only those initiated to manhood or who have positions of responsibility in the community participate in the Abame festival.
Town Igbide
LGA Isoko South
Period March (Every three years) (1999)
Festival Oje
Description It is celebrated in honour of Ojie and Eushi, gods of blessings. The Oje is a colourfully decorated masquerade that thrills the spectators. The highlight of the festival is Eushi’s dance in a canoe on the lake.
Town Aboh
LGA Ndokwa East
Period February
Festival Okpotu
Description The Okpotu festival is celebrated for peace. Sacrifices are offered to their gods. Female worshippers take active part. The major event is the visit to the traditional ruler, Ase-Igwe.
Town Ase
LGA Ndokwa East
Period October (biennial)
Festival Ukwata
Description The festival is celebrated to sacrifice to the ancestral gods of the clan. Alive eagle tied to a stool is carried on the head of each of the special “Ukwata” dancers. Other dance groups also participate. Gifts are exchanged.
Town Abbi
LGA Ndokwa West
Period February (annual)
Festival Ikenge
Description The Ikenge festival is celebrated to commemorate the struggles and success of past heroes and to worship gods of achievements. Participants dress in war outfits with charms and amulets.
Town Utagba -Uno
LGA Ndokwa West
Period June (annual)
Festival Adane-Okpe
Description The festival is aimed at cleansing and purifying the society. Only men take part in the festival. The festival is accompanied with feasting and merrymaking.
Town Orerokpe
LGA Okpe
Period December (annual)
Festival Okpoitita
Description Okpoitita is a deity. The celebration of the festival is meant to purity and protect the society from evil spirit. Masquerade dances and sacrifices are performed.
Town Iriama
LGA Okpe
Period March (every three years)
Festival Iwu
Description This festival is celebrated for the cleansing and purification of Ibusa Community. It is a time to thank God for abundant harvest. Songs are composed to ridicule defaulters of the norms and traditions of the society no matter their status. The Chief Priest(Ohene) and the Chief celebrants(Eze Iwus) perform rituals. The highlight of the festival is the moment of exaltation and opalesce.
Town Ibusa
LGA Oshimili North
Period December (annual)
Festival Ogwu
Description The festival is meant to combat the ills of the community. Songs are composed to ridicle those who violated the norms and tradition of the society.
Town Ebu
LGA Oshimili North
Period August
Festival Fishing Festival
Description It is celebrated to revive their indigenous occupation(fishing) and protect their cultural heritage. The highlight of the festival is fishing at Iyoya lake and other ponds where prices are awarded for the biggest catch.
Town Oko Amakom Oko-Anala
LGA Oshimili South
Period April (Annual)
Festival Ine
Description It is-usually celebrated as an end of year activity. The festival features music and dance round the town. (Igbu-Agbo).
Town Asaba
LGA Oshimili South
Period October (Annual)
Festival Kabowei Seigbein
Description It is celebrated to purge the town of evil, worship ancestors and pay homage to deified gods and heroes. It is an occasion for family re-unions and receiving the blessings of the ancestors.
Town Patani
LGA Patani
Period April(Annual)
Festival Odoni Seigbein
Description It is celebrated to mark important events in the history of the people as well as pay homage to ancestral gods and heroes. It is a great occasion for showing the wealth of the families as costly clothes and coral beads are worn. After every third Odoni Seigbein festival, two masquerades, Mgbele and Amugele are carried alternately round the town.
Town Odoni Clan
LGA Patani
Period May (Annual)
Festival Urhiepele-ame
Description This festival is celebrated to appease “Urhiepele” which is a deity. It is also for the purification of the town, peace and prosperity.
Town Sapele
LGA Sapele
Period Any agreed time
Festival Ibeni
Description It is celebrated to appease the gods for peace and progress and usher in the new year. It is a masquerade festival where the women perform the “Oje” dance.
Town Ibode- Eivme
LGA Sapele
Period December (Annual)
Festival Iyei
Description This festival is celebrated to mark a new era of happiness and prosperity and to appease their gods. During the period, subjects pay homage to the Ovie in his palace with Ema and Ovie dances. The highlight of the festival is the paddling of canoe known as “Umalokun” on a lake.
Town Ughelli
LGA Ughelli North
Period September (Annual)
Festival Erose-Efe
Description It is celebrated to re-anact the old tradition of a warrior people. Each clan is led by Ochu (warrior) to the Erose shrine to receive blessing. This is followed by war dances.
Town Orugun
LGA Ughelli North
Period April (Annual)
Festival Ogba-Urhie
Description Ogba-Urhie is celebrated to mark the circumcision of matured girls. The festival is celebrated with great jubilation, dances and merry making.
Town Otu-jeremi
LGA Ughelli South
Period July (Annual)
Festival Igboze
Description The festival is celebrated to commemorate Igboze the son ofighogho e years) of Benin. Chieftaincy titles are conferred on deserving citizens. There are traditional dances and exchange of gifts
Town Olomu
LGA Ughelli South
Period November every 5yrs
Festival Epha
Description This festival is celebrated for the initiation of women into womanhood. The entire community participates.
Town Otor-Udu
LGA Udu
Period June/Sept (Annual)
Festival Igbu
Description It is celebrated to purify the land and protect it from outside attack as well as appease their ancestral gods. Mainly warriors of the town take part.
Town Egini
LGA Udu
Period Any agreed time (Annual)
Festival Owhoru
Description The celebration of this festival is to ensure good yield of crops and livestock. Owhoru was originally the personal shrine of an Uwvie herbalist. It’s home is located in Effurun River. The climax of the festival is the appearance of Owhoru amidst erotic behaviour and absence talks and songs.
Town Effurun Ekpan
LGA Uvwie
Period July – Oct (Annual)
Festival Edju-Uvwie
Description This festival serves the role of protection to the indigenes of Uvwie and also brings progress. It has the capacity to regulate peoples behaviour and unites them.ad priest, great merriment and funfair.
Town Effurun, Ekpan
LGA
Period March (Annual)
Festival Awankere
Description This festival is celebrated to usher in peace and plenty. The first stage is ritualistic while the second stage is a show of masquerades which is open to public.
Town Warri
LGA Warri South
Period June/July Annual
Festival Okiroro (Okere)
Description The celebration is for the adoration of the ancestors of Okere. During this period propitiation is made to all fore-fathers and mothers. The highlight of the festival is the appearance of the “Okere Juju” (masquerade) in a fairly large number from the sites of the shrine and they proceed to the heart of Okere where they do real dancing.
Town Warri
LGA Warri South
Period July/August Annual
Festival Egbenijokun
Description An ancient festival celebrated to usher in peace and plenty. Egbenijokun is a deity which has power to kill, save and provide food for the people. The colourful aspect of this festival is a competitive regatta.
Town Bobi
LGA Warri North
Period March/April (Biennial)
Festival Onemone
Description This festival is celebrated for peace and plenty by the Ologbotsere and Uwangue, descendants of Jakpa. The festival involves rituals, masquerade displays and ancestral worship.
Town Jakpa
LGA Warri North
Period March/April (Annual)
Festival Isekpere
Description This festival is for purification, sanctification, protection and socialisation. Masquerades that represent the deity (Isekpere do display and those who are spiritual children come from far and wide to pay homage and perform sacrifices. Fish-farming activities in the Atlantic is suspended during the festival.
Town Ugborodo
LGA Warri South West
Period Jan-Mar (Biennial)
Festival Egbudu
Description It is for the cleansing of the land, protection of the people and provision of wealth in abundance, homages, sacrifices and displays by masquerades repressing the deity (Egbudu) characterised the festival.
Town Kantu
LGA Warri South West
Period Third Quarter (Yearly)
Delta
Delta State is an oil and agricultural state in Nigeria.
Name: Delta State of Nigeria Founded: 27Aug, 1991 Administrative capital: Asaba Commercial capital: Warri
The capital of Delta State is Asaba, located at the northern end of the state, with an estimated area of 762 square kilometres (294 sq mi).
Warri is the economic nerve center of the state and also the most populated. It is located in the southern end of the state.
Enerhen junction, Uvwie, Delta State, Nigeria
Administrative Areas
Delta State currently has twentyfive local government areas. They are: Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Bomadi, Burutu, Ethiope East, Ethiope West, lka North East, lka South, Isoko North, Isoko South, Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West Okpe, Oshimili North Oshimili South, Patani, Sapele, Udu, Ughelli North, Ughelli South, Ukwani, Uvwie, Warri North, Warri South and Warri South West.
Asaba roundabout, Asaba, Delta state
Christianity, which has the largest followership, came through contact with the Portuguese in the 15th century. With Christianity, came a number of complimentary western institutions, the most important of which was western education, hence missionary schools sprang up in Delta State. Modem health care delivery establishments, such as hospitals and maternity centers, were also introduced.
Ethnic Composition
The major ethnic groups in Delta State are Urhobo, lgbo, lzon, Isoko and Itsekiri. Many of the people claim a common ancestry; consequent ly, their cultures are similar. These similarities are manifested in their religious worship, music, dance, festivals, and arts and crafts. The practice of Christianity, Islam and traditional worship like lgbe and Ebura, flourishes in varying degrees among the people of Delta state.
River Ethiope which is reputed to be the deepest inland waterway in Africa (at 176 km).
River Ethiope
Delta state also has huge deposits of crude oil and is also one of the largest producers of petroleum products in Nigeria. Sales of petroleum products is what majorly drives its economy.
