From: Eric-Eweke, Niger Delta Bureau Chief
The popular Ogbodu festival of the people of Agbarha-Otor, kingdom in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, was held at Agbarha-Otor (ancestral home), on August 20, 2026 among pomp and pageantry.
There it was, the morning sun gradually illuminating the landscape of Agbarha-Otor, this particular day-turning into weird and eerie atmosphere. Ogbodu juju festival annually celebrated in every August was a celebration of a war deity-which in other words-was a celebration for peace. It is also known as the warrior festival, where every sons and daughters came from far and near to participate in the festival, for the purpose of unity, peace and progress of the community.
Ogbodu juju festival-which started from time immemorial has an historical significance to the people of the Agbarha-Otor. The festival is not a mere festival, it is a carried responsibility of devotion to their culture heritage, a legacy to be protected and a collective purpose to preserved it.
At noon, the warriors both young and old, men and women, with red and white strips costumes and make-up, brimming fire and stone, wielding dangerous cutlasses trigged of the jubilation and danced through the community main road to the neighboruing communities with the key warrior leading the procession to the shrine.
We see tradition and mystique co-joined in a tangible of the unpredictable. As the procession surges, sometimes surprising and shocking.
Speaking exclusively to our Art Editor, an indigene of the community, Hon. Freeborn Akposheri, stating that, Ogbodu juju festival was as old as the history of the Agbarha-Otor people and that it was a symbol of peace and unity.
According to him, the festival signifies the times of trouble in the old days, where there were communal wars and annexed territories. Therefore, in remembrance of the pass times, it stands for peace and protection of the people from attacks by enemies. It was for the protection of the community. According to him, the wielding of the cutlass was also in remembrance of the past heroes and warriors of the land who during their time fought to protect the people and the land.
“My advised to the people of Agbarha-Otor is to know their roots and where they came from. There was no any festival as entertaining as this.
Also, speaking in the same vein, Mr. Daniel Oghenemine, said, the Ogbodu juju festival is an annual celebrations which falls on August of every year. He said, our history is who we are and why we are here and where we are going; we fight wars to keep the peace.
He said, the date of the festival was been fixed by the Chief Priest of the shrine located along the Agbarha-Otor road. And that, the festival symbolized peace and unity among the people with their neighbours.
He advised the young ones not to neglect their tradition. According to him, “before Christianity, there was tradition. If you have no tradition, you are missing your roots”.
Oghenemine maintained that, during the jubilation procession the great warrior is tied in chains around his waist, was to staled his advancement not to go wild, he noted.
The celebration was a joy. The sovernair of the festival was the ever lasting memory. It is an African festival that deserves to be sustained.
The festival was watched by top government official, religions leaders, people from far and near. It was also, watched by participating artists from the Onobrak Art Centre, Agbarha-Otor, respectively. Other side attractions featured in the festival including musical live band performance, among others.
