History of Unyeada fishing festival
Why I write and seek for more contributions about this event.
I said it before that this event is unique across Obolo land. I spent 15 good years or more in UNYEADA.So I like history let put it together-even of the best organization across Obolo nation: UTOON OBOLO write
UTONO OBOLO
UNYEADA FISHING FESTIVAL- IJOK-IRIN
PREAMBLE:
Unyeada Fishing Festival "Ijok-Irin", is an annual cultural fishing festival of the Obolo (Andoni) people celebrated at Unyeada Kingdom in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State. The festival showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Obolo people as the most creative and prosperous fishing communities in Niger Delta and Nigeria.
The "Ijok-Irin" in Obolo language is interpreted "fish feast", the festival marks the end of traditional fishing season of the Obolo people between the months of July and August. The festival is one of the tourism attraction in Rivers State.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
According to oral evidence, the origin of Unyeada fishing festival is traced to the very existence of the people. Obolo socio-cultural structure, like other riverine societies is built around the marlne environment, this had also influenced most of their belief system and tradition.
The Obolo people ooccupied the longest stretch of the Niger Delta coastal environment and they are predominantly fishermen and often migrate across the Gulf of Guinea on fishing expeditions. Obolo fishermen are found in Togo, Benin Republic, Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.
It is the culture of the Obolo people especially in Unyeada Kingdom, for fishermen to return home annually at the expedition of each season (between July and August) to celebrate Ijok-Irin with their biggest catch (usually smoked). Before the advent of Christianity, it was regard as a taboo in Andoni and Ijaw tradition for a fisherman to solely eat or sells his biggest catch. In fact, this can cause serious penalty of banishment of the erring fisherman and his family.
According to Obolo tradition, catching of the biggest fish connotes strength and bravery similar to hunting a leopard, it's attract a royal blessing and award of the "Oguisi-Mbom" (King of Fish), from the King (Okaan Ama) of Unyeada.
FEATURES
* CANOE REGATTA
War canoe "Uji-Ngelenge" was a symbol of wealth and power during the pre-colonial era in Niger Delta. Powerful Kingdoms, then are measured by the fleet of war canoes they acquired. Unyeada Kingdom was said to be the military seat of the Obolo Nation and so possesses many of such war canoes. Interestingly, war canoe wasn't only meant for fighting of war alone, it is used as regattas during an important celebration like chieftaincy coronation and festivals, a practice that is still seen in different riverine communities of Niger Delta.
During Ijok-Irin festival, colorful parades of war canoes are selected from each of the five ancestral lineages (Ibirinya) or major war canoe houses to accompany the legendary King (Dr.) I. U Otuo IX JP Okaan-Ama Ama of Unyeada Kingdom, the regattas are manned by the leaders (Okaan-Ibirinya) of the five ancestral war canoe houses of Unyeada Kingdom (Otuo, Oyetile, Otibok, Etekan and Iyoba).
It is customary that the regatta will commenced from Iburubu Sea ( the estuary of Andoni River) and ends at "Okwan-Obbu" (Imo River). The journey to each of the 42 settlements within the territory of Unyeada kingdom is historic to the culture of the people till now. Each of town and villages will sing the praises of the firescest 17th century Niger Delta Warrior-king, King Otuo Ogbolakon the Great, (founder of Unyeada Kingdom), and the regattas will be presented with two bottles of local gin by the Heads (Okaan-Ama) of these settlements.
* OGBO-NJIN FISHING COMPETITION
The "Ogbo-njin" fishing competition is one of most spectacular aspect of the festival. The "Ogbo-njiin" which simply means group of net caster, is a beautifully choreographed fishing method peculiar to Unyeada people where net casting fishermen are arranged in two opposite row of many canoes (sometimes 30 canoes each), then a whistler will signal the paddling from the opposite direction driving school of fish into the center then casting their net in synchronization. This ancient fishing practice has proven the ingenuity of earliest fishermen in solving problems, as it is generally believed that the methodology is very effective in preventing the school fish from escaping and allowing the fishermen a big catch. Unyeada people are the known for their four fathom (7.3152 meters) casting net, the biggest casting net in the Niger Delta. This part of the festival is designed not necessarily for the biggest catch but to display the mastery of Unyeada people in their fishing occupation capable of attracting both local and foreign tourists and culture enthusiasts to Unyeada Kingdom.
* IJIMANGI CUTURAL PROCESSION
The "ijimangi" or "June" festival is the climax of the Unyeada fishing festival, this aspect of the festival was introduced in 1960 by Late High Chief Jonas Rufus Mbira (Unye Obolo III). The Ijimangi activities commences on every 4th July with the traditional cleanings and selection of young men from across the towns and villages in Unyeada Kingdom. They will undergo the process of initiation into a group known as "Ogbo-Anange", by the Chief priest (Oban-isijong Ama) and elders who will task and groomed them in the school of traditional warfare established by Unyeada ancestors. Through out that night it's expected that all must keep vigil at the "Ebon-Udan" square, the ancestral shrine. Some traditional sacrifice are made to appeased the ancestors and then trooped to the sea bank to offer sacrifice to the river goddess for good harvest in the next fishing season.
The Ijimangi procession commences with seven canon shots and beating of the "Akama", war drum in the early hours of every 5th of July which is believed to awaken the spirits of warrior ancestry of Unyeada Kingdom. The antiquity of Akama war drum is now a symbol of power and protection in Unyeada Kingdom.
According to M. D. W Jeffreys, in his Intelligence report on the Andoni tribe in 1930, it was recorded that the Andoni drum-lore (Akama) resonate the praise and remembrance of the Andoni King (Okan-Obolo), King Otuo Ogbolakon 1 of Unyeada Kingdom. Saying as: "Otuo Ogbolakon, the great and famous warrior, when you get your enemy, hold him fast".
The spectacular Ijimangi procession of different age group dressed in traditional george wrapper with bare boby parade usually attracts thousands of Obolo (Andoni) youths to the street of Unyeada Town, the ancestral town of the kingdom who dance to the admiration of visitors and tourists.
Another aspect of the festival that is very unique, is the sharing of a sacred feast called "Ogo" to tourists and visitors who came to witness the festival. The dishes which must prepared by octogenarian women known as "Ugane-Ukuru-ekwet", because traditionally older women are regarded to be clean. The Ogo is madeup of native salad spices (bush pepper, palm-oil and lime stone etc) with a big smoked fish (preferably of barracuda specie) and must be served in a wooden plate known "Okwa" with locally refined gin. This meal is regarded sacred because it is serves to deities or a special visitors to the Kingdom.
The culinary culture of Obolo people is regarded as the best in Rivers State. Most delicacies here, are essentially made from freshly caught organic seafood (crab, prewinkcle, shrimp, cockle etc.) abound in the marine environment of Andoni. The popular Nigerian cuisine known as Native soup (usually it being cooked on Saturday evening) originated from Unyeada in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Other events that is projected include:
Swimming Competition
Miss Ijok-Irin Beauty Pageant
Art Exibition
Unyeada Fishing Festival in recent times, had been rebranded in line with the program of Rivers State Tourism Development Agency to promote cultural and ecotourism in Rivers State.
The 2016 edition was flagged off by the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Chief Barr Nyesom Wike CON, represented by the Honourable Commissioner, Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture Hon. Barr. Onimim Jacks.
Written by:
Gogo Abel Ujile
Published by EPHRAIM JERRY
Read more
https://oboloheritage.blogspot.com/2022/06/obolo-put-your-history-together.html
0 Comments