The Ikenga Festival of Obiaruku People of Delta State

Obiaruku Kingdom in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State according to Prince James Morka, is an autonomous community which originated from Akashiede Kingdom and was founded by Onotu-Uku Morka.

Akashiede kingdom has three communities which are Eziokpor, Ezionum and Umuebu, tradition has it that Onotu-Uku Morka who hate and fight injustice, at about 15th Century decided to leave Umuebu Community because of an injustice, littered against his friend.

Narrating the history of Obiaruku and how Obiaruku came into existence, during Obiaruku 2016 Ikenga Festival, a grandson of Morka, Chief (Prince) James Morka said, historical Morka left Umuebu in protest over the refusal of the people of Umuebu to conferred an Onotu-Uku Chieftaincy title to his friend, adding as he was leaving, three of his friends, including the one that was denied the title, followed him and getting to Osemele they settled there.

Approximately five months later when Umuebu elders discovered that Morka was not willing to shift ground on his decision, they decided to send some people to find them, pointing out that as the search went on, they were eventually found at Osemele where they have already settled. Prince Morka noted that inview of making peace with Morka, by the elders of Umuebu, the elder again sent some delegates to appeal to him (Morka) to come back with his friends. Before this time, according to Prince Morka, Onotu-Uku Morka had already promulgated a decree that he will never return to Umuebu again.

Hearing that he had promulgated a decree, the entire Umuebu elders moved enmass to appeal to him, and when the pressure became unbearable for him, he again decided to depart from Osemele to Obialuku, now called Obiaruku.

Obiaruku is bounded in the East by Umuebu, in the West Urhonigbe, in the South Abraka and in the North Obinomba, the location is within rain forest belt. The total population of the community is approximately 85,000.

The occupation of Obiaruku people is mostly farming and trading. The Obiaruku people are noted also for production of plantain in Delta State.

Among the people of Obiaruku there was a great belief of appealing to their shrine at every beginning of New Year. They also believed in ceremonies and festivals. Ikenga Festival is a rich festival while Igba Festival is another important festival which comes up after Ikenga Festival.

Ikenga Festival is an annual celebration of the people of Obiaruku, a period set aside to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Obiaruku kingdom. It is also set aside for the sons and daughters of Obiaruku, both at home and diaspora to come home to discuss the well being of the community.

Over the years, Obiaruku which has 12 quarters, namely Obi-Ugbe, Umusume, Okusu-uku, Okusu-Nta, Okusu Emeke, Ogbe-uku (Agbanga) Ogwezi, Ogbe-Aka, Umudike, Umu-Edede, Ghana quarter and Ozegbe Ossai use to celebrate the annual Ikenga festival together.

However, this year 2016, disagreement ensued between Obi-Ugbe/Umusume and Other quarters in Obiaruku known as Ogbe-Obiaruku, this disagreement which made the Obi-Ugbe/Umusume quarters to celebrate theirs separately.

However, when Ogbe-Obiaruku fixed theirs after their sister quarters has ended their own the development which did not go down well then trigged action, which eventually made the quarters to fell apart and the youths of various quarters rush out in thousand and a battle line was drawn at the boundaries of the Umusume quarters and Okusu quarters and during the period of the disagreement, firing of gun ensued, and about five persons were allegedly said to have been injured by gun shot.

The situation which paralyzed both Social and economic activities in the Community, also made residents to fled to some neighboring villages.

The Chairman Ukwuani Local Government Council Barrister (Mrs.) Benedicta Ndudi Osakuni-Izuegbue who forsaw dangers, immediately met with all the stakeholders in the Community at the Okpala-Uku’s Palace. The council Chairman who was not satisfied with the agreement reached with the Stakeholders in the Community, left Obiaruku straight to the state Government, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa and after briefing him (Governor) over the situation on ground at Obiaruku, the governor immediately directed the state commissioner of police to draft his men to Obiaruku to bring the situation in the community to order.

Within 24 hours, able body police men and other law enforcement agent were mobilized to Obiaruku, and on their arrival it took the combined team of the law enforcement agent to bring the situation to nomalmacy.

When this writer visited the Community, all the strategic Junction in Obiaruku were blocked by angry looking policemen.

Meanwhile, at about 11:00am the situation were brought to order, and each quarters were seen showcasing their culture and tradition, different dancing were also seen in different places.

In an interview the people commended Chief (Prince) James Morka for the role he played during the crisis, according to the Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria Ukwuani Local Government chapter, Comrade Ekule Chuks he said, we are here to present an award of Excellence to Chief (Price) James Morka for his humanitarian service to mankind and promotion of Ukwuani Culture.

In his speech, Mr. Otuya Ikechukwu, said if every Obiaruku person will be like Prince Morka, suffering and hardship would not be much in Obiaruku, he is a great philanthropies who has empowered uncountable persons, even as the Ikenga festival is on, he donated motorcycle and giant generator to people.

On the issue of Obiaruku kingship, Prince James Morka, said, “I leave the kingship issue for government and traditional rulers all over the country to judge whether is appropriate for another person to be crown as a king when a son of the founder of the Community is alive and was not in any way found wanting of any criminal activities or related offences.

On the issue between the people of Obi-Ugbe/Umusume and Ogbe-Obiaruku, Prince stated that we have already resolved because we all are brothers and sisters and nothing can separate us.