Chief Emami Proclaims: You can’t just wake up and change historical things, as Abigor explains significance of Arimabo

The Ologbotsere of Warri, Chief Ayirimi Emami, says the Awankere festival which has been holding annually for over 500 centuries, is very significant to the Okere people in the heart of Warri, hence nobody can just wake up and try to change its history.

Chief Emami, who noted that the socio-cultural showpiece, was originally called Okere Juju and now popularly known as Okere (Awankere) Festival, because of Christianity, said the festival is for peace, love and unity.

Whilst explaining that the colourfully dressed masquerades, led by Otsogumale (father of the masquerades, clad in all white) and Okpoye (mother of the masquerades, clad in al brown sack) come and offer prayer for the land, Itsekiri people and people of Okere, Chief Emami, added: “Okere is like the heart of Warri and Okere is dominated by the Itsekiri people, Okere has five quarters; Ode-Ile, Idimi-Jakpa, Odekporo, Ajamimogha and Okere-Urhobo, which was called Idimi-Usobo. We do things and live together. If you are not from Okere, you can not attend Alekpa.

Chief Ayirimi Emami

“Politically, people grow, places expand, we live together as brothers and sisters, you cannot just wake up and change the historical things.

“This festival is called Okere Juju, but because of Christianity, they now call it Okere festival, everybody from far and near, will come here and celebrate with us, drink with us and eat our food called Owho. We have two types of Owho, the one with beans and the one without beans

“This is where I grew up, these are historical facts and festival. I met my father with this and that is what I am doing. Itsekiris are not known to be hostile, they are friendly and lovely people.”

Front Row: Chief Ayirimi Emami (3rd left) Ojorumale (Chief Priest of Okere Community) Oluoyibo Kperegbeyi (middle) Mr. Napoleon Otiri & others

Socio-Cultural proponent and indigene of Okere, Mr. Gbubemi Abigor, who spoke exclusively to This Soaring International Tabloid, at the Okere Market Square, Warri, Saturday July 12, during the grand finale (last market) of the 528th Edition of Awankere Festival, explained: “This tree (the tree at Okere Market Roundabout) is known as Arimabo.

“For the Okere indigene, this is symbol warner, it has a way of alerting the Okere people if there is crisis, that’s why it’s called Arimabo (person that doesn’t keep secret) with the presence of this tree, no evil can befall Okere Community.

Chief Ayirimi Emami (left) dancing to the tune of the colourfully dressed ladies

“After the war with Ginuwa I, Ekpen then planted this tree, this is where he said Enekereren (meaning we have reduced in number).

“To the Okere people, this is staff of office, it symbolizes everything about Okere, we don’t joke with this tree.”

Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Comr. Agbateyiniro Weyinmi Isaac, who also addressed newsmen during the ceremony, stated: “If you would remove culture from the life of Africa, it’s equivalent to removing breathe from a living human being. Culture is what we live for. It is our identity.

Comr. Agbateyiniro Weyinmi Isaac

“As local government, we are here to solidarize with the very great people of Okere community for the 528th edition of the Awankere Festival.

“For these people to have year-in, year-out sustained this culture to this point, ours is to come and congratulate them.”

An indigene of Okere, who is the Majority Leader of Warri South Local Government Council Legislative Arm, Hon. Tuoyo Ebigbeyi, told Correspondents: “Okere is the heart of Warri, we do this festival ones in every year, it has been existing from 528 years and it’s done every June to July, to cleanse the land from anything that’s bad from the community.

“It usually runs for 5 weeks (5 market days) today being the last day, the masquerades will be going back to the shrine till next year, which will be the 529th edition.

One of the Awankere masquerades, receiving prayer from Ojorumale (Chief Priest of Okere Community) Oluoyibo Kperegbeyi, while Ogieboro E.F Esisi (the Olare-Aja of Okere) Chief Koffi Kartey, Chief Ayirimi Emami, Dr. Godwin Uku, Mr. Napoleon & others, watch with keen interest

“I am appealing to my brothers and sisters in Warri to continue to live in peace, because there is no way development can come in the absence of peace. We should try to live as one, because we are one under one king, Ogiame Atuwatse III.”

The well-attended ceremony featured beautiful display by the masquerades, groups from different communities, including Okere, lots of fun and entertainment on the sideline as well as reunion of old friends and associates.

Toju Awani (middle) & some other youths in Okere community

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