Awankere Festival Is Apolitical, purely socio - cultural... Okere Community

The Elders Council of Okere Community in Warri, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, wish to notify members of the public, including those in the Diaspora, that the annual Awankere Festival, which has been celebrated for over five centuries, is apolitical and purely socio - cultural.

The Awankere Festival, graced by non - indigenes and foreigners alike in the last 525 editions, has consistently showcased the rich cultural heritage of Okere Community and by extension the Itsekiri Nation, accommodating the diverse interests of participants in the festival.

The recently celebrated 525th edition of this historical festival, wasn't an exception in terms of giving every indigene of Okere, participating in the festival the freedom to express themselves, whilst adhering strictly to the cultural dictates.

For clarity, out of the 80 masquerades that came out on the last market day( Saturday August 13,2022) in the just concluded 525th edition, less than 20 of the masquerades on display, dressed in a politically inclined attire.

It is vitally important to emphasize that the cladding of some masquerades in political attire was never endorsed by the Elders' Council, nor was it a usual practice from inception.

This clarification, became necessary following the misconceptions created in a viral social media post,  that majority of the masquerades in the last day of the recently celebrated edition, were  dressed in the politically inclined attire. Eligible Okere indigenes and non - indigenes living in Okere, are free as always to participate positively in the democratic development of our great country, especially as we inch closer to the 2023 elections.

Credit: Ogieboro E. F. Esisi, the Olare - Aja of Okere Community, Okere - Warri.

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