08/08/2023
The Egwu Ogba, also known as the Ogba festival, is an annual event celebrated by the Egi clan in the Ogba Kingdom, located in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of Rivers State, Nigeria. The festival holds great significance for the Egi people as it allows them to celebrate their rich cultural heritage, dating back to the 15th century.
Described as a festival that commemorates the harvesting of first fruits and the act of offering these fruits to God as a gesture of thanksgiving. It is considered a celebration of the Egi Feast of Passover.
The festival takes place every August, and it serves as a time for all Egi sons and daughters, both residing at home and in the diaspora, to come together and participate in the grand festivities. It offers a unique opportunity for family reunions, reconciliation, and the reintegration of individuals who may have been separated by distance and time.
Visitors are also welcomed during the festival and are treated to the warm hospitality that the Egi people are known for. This adds to the overall enjoyment and cultural exchange during the event.
The main highlight of the festival is the carrying of fire across various communities by elders from each kindred group. This act symbolizes the cleansing and purification of the towns and communities, driving away evil forces from the land.
Prior to the fire-carrying ceremony, there is a tradition of shooting local cannons by both the young and old participants. This act takes place immediately after the formal proclamation of the festival, which occurs eight native weeks before the commencement of the event. The proclamation is made by the Akoku kindred of the Erema community at the Anama Orji Square in Erema. The proclamation ceremony, held in July, attracts the presence of scepter holders from all 16 communities of Egi who come together to perform the proclamation rites.
