The people of Agbarha Kingdom in the Delta State of Nigeria have successfully climaxed this year’s celebration of their ancestral festival – the Idju-Ovwhurie Festival, an event which passes on tradition and culture to younger generations.
Every two years in April, the Agbarha Kingdom in Delta State transforms into a vibrant spectacle of culture, unity, and tradition with the celebration of the Idju-Ovwhurie Festival, popularly known as the Agbassa Juju Festival.
This deeply rooted cultural event, rich in warrior-like pageantry and spiritual symbolism, draws participants and spectators from across the Urhobo nation and beyond.
Dating back centuries, the Idju-Ovwhurie Festival is more than just a celebration—it is a sacred gathering that reinforces identity, unity, and ancestral reverence among the Agbarha people. The festival unites seven communities within the Agbarha Kingdom: Otovwodo, Igbudu, Edjeba, Ekurede-Urhobo, Ogunu, Oteghele, and Ukpokiti. Together, these communities come alive in an elaborate display of traditional regalia, music, dance, and spiritual rituals.
At the heart of the festival is the Juju itself—an ancestral deity whose presence and power are invoked through drumming, chants, and ceremonial offerings. Warriors adorned in colourful costumes and palm fronds parade through the kingdom, accompanied by hypnotic rhythms and spiritual chants, creating an atmosphere of reverence and celebration.
“This festival is a cornerstone of our heritage. It reminds us of where we come from and binds us together in peace and strength,” said one elder from the Otovwodo community.
Beyond its cultural importance, the Agbassa Juju Festival is also a major tourism attraction, drawing culture lovers, researchers, and adventurers to Warri, Delta State. The event not only preserves the rich traditions of the Urhobo people but also serves as a platform for inter-generational dialogue, cultural exchange, and economic activity within the region.
As the drumming fades and the festival concludes, the spirit of the Idju-Ovwhurie lingers—an eternal flame of Urhobo heritage that continues to shine brightly every two years.
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