Urhobo people

The Urhobos are an ethnic group located in southern Nigeria, near the northwestern Niger Delta. They are the major ethnic group in Delta State and speak the Urhobo language. Their estimated population is approximately 7 million. They occupy a territory bounded by latitudes 6° and 5°, 15° North and longitudes 5°, 40° and 6°, 25° East in the Delta and Bayelsa States of Nigeria. Their neighbors include the Isoko, Itsekiri, Ijaw, Edo, and Ukwuani peoples.

History

The Ughelli and Agbon Kingdoms are the oldest in Urhobo land, tracing their roots to the 14th century. Ughelli oral tradition holds that Ughene, its founder, was the second son of Oghwoghwa, a Benin prince. The Okpe Kingdom predates the arrival of the Portuguese in the 15th century and was formally established in the 17th century. The Okpe people founded modern-day Sapele, over which the Orodje of Okpe still holds authority.

Indigenous Government and Politics

Urhobo traditional governance is either elder-based or wealth-based. Each kingdom is led by an Ovie (king), supported by a council comprising the Otota (speaker), Ohonvwore/Okakuro (Ilorogun), Ikoikpokpo (executioners), and Ogbu (warriors). Titles differ across kingdoms. The queen is called Ovieya; her children are Ọmọ Ovie. Other titles include Orodje (Okpe), Orosuen (Okere-Urhobo), Osuivie (Agbarho), Okpara-Uku (Orogun), and Ohworode (Olomu). Some regions practice the Odio system.

Location

Urhobo territory features evergreen forests with many oil palms and a network of seasonal streams. It lies within the Atlantic forest belt stretching from Senegal to Angola. Prior to Portuguese contact in the 15th century, the region was isolated from Christian, Islamic, Asian, and Arab influences.

The Urhobo primarily reside in Delta and Bayelsa States. Ofoni, a notable Urhobo community, is located in Sagbama LGA of Bayelsa State. Prominent cities include Ughelli, Warri, Abraka, Orerokpe, and Sapele.

Urhobo-majority LGAs:

Ethiope East & West
Okpe
Sapele
Udu
Ughelli North & South
Isoko
Uvwie
Warri South
Patani
Sagbama (Bayelsa)
Ikpoba Okha and Orhionmwon (Edo)

They also have large settlements in Ondo, Lagos, and Kwara States.

Culture

Okpako Orere

Urhobo society is gerontocratic, led by the eldest male in the community, called "Okpako Orere" (also "Okpako Ewo" or "Okaroro"). Succession is strictly based on seniority.

Festivals

Due to their proximity to the Niger River, Urhobo culture is water-centered. Festivals include masquerades, fishing, and swimming contests. Ohworu Festival in Evwreni celebrates the Ohworhu water spirit and Eravwe Oganga.

Marriage

Marriage rituals (Udi Arhovwaje) involve prayer to ancestors (Erivwin) and God (Oghene). The ceremony includes gift-giving and libations. Brides must confess past affairs during integration into the husband's family. If unfaithful, it's believed the Erivwin punishes the wife.

Language and Identity

Urhobo is linguistically diverse. Some dialects, like Isoko and Okpe, have sought distinct ethnic identities. British colonialists once referred to Urhobo and Isoko collectively as "Sobo" or "Eastern Urhobo." Despite debates, shared customs and language bind them closely.

Urhobo Calendar

Weekdays: Edewo, Ediruo, Eduhre, Edebi (4-day week)
Sacred Days: Edewo and Eduhre (reserved for rituals, markets, ancestor veneration)
Months: Called Emeravwe, each having 28 days
Festival Months: Asa, Eghwre, Orianre, Urhiori

Food

Popular Dishes:

Banga Soup (Amiedi): Made from palm kernel, served with Starch (Usi)
Ukhodo: Yam/plantain with beef, poultry, or fish, seasoned with lemon grass and potash
Oghwevwri (Oghwo soup): With dried fish, bush meat, and palm oil
Others: Iriboto, Iriboerhanrhe, Ugbagba, Okpariku

Religion

The Urhobo revere "Ọghẹnẹ" (God) and various divinities: Edjo (deities) and Erhan (spirits). Worship includes the use of Orhen (white chalk).

Beliefs:

Duality of Man: Physical body (Ugboma) and spiritual body (Erhi)
Erhi: Determines destiny, connects with ancestors in Erivwin (spirit world)
Epha divination: Similar to Yoruba Ifá, uses cowries
Deities: Guardian, War, Prosperity, Fertility/Ethical

While Christianity is increasingly prevalent, traditional religion remains influential.

Notable People

Ufuoma McDermott: Actress and model
Fred Aghogho Brume: Senator and industrialist
Richard Mofe Damijo: Actor and politician
Felix Ibru: Architect, senator, and governor
Michael Ibru: Industrialist
Blessing Okagbare: Olympian
Ben Okri: Poet and novelist
Ovie Omo-Agege: Deputy Senate President
Sheriff Oborevwori: Governor of Delta State
Saint Gideon Meriodere Urhobo: Founder, God's Kingdom Society

Others include artists, scholars, politicians, and athletes.

References / Further Reading

"History of Urhobo People." EdoWorld.net. Archived from the original on 2023-09-27. Retrieved 2024-10-20.

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