15 Inducted As Enhwe Community Celebrates 'Ogwere' Festival ~ Truth Reporters

 

By Kelvin Ohoror 

Fifteen male adults have been inducted into the Edio/Elders Council in 'Ogwere' festival held in Enhwe community, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State.

The Ogwere festival is an aged long cultural heritage and tradition of the community where adults migrate to become 'Elders and Edios' after a community service of 10 years by the inductees.

Enhwe Kingdom in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, migrated from Ute in Benin,(now Edo State) in the 12th Century.

Its founder, Oviota Oriro, son of the fourth to the last Ogiso that reign in Benin Kingdom, in the first Benin dynasty.

The Ogwere festival where adults of same age grade is celebrated every 5 years at the community town hall to witness the historical rich cultural heritage displayed by the people. 

The historical event has 15 members who have serve the community meritoriously for 10 years with unblemished records during their years of service.

Speaking during the event, Prince Isaac Ohoror, a celebrant said, "Today we are celebrating the age group induction ceremony into the edio/elders council.

"The Ogwere festival is an age long event and before one can attain that level, you must have passed through a lot of labour for the community and ones one is able to get to the level we are, such person would not longer participate in community service.

"With what we are celebrating today,  we will no longer participate with the youths in manual labour and otherwise but if you did not, no matter your age, you can the oldest man in the community, you will be regarded as a youth because of your non partaking in the Ogwere festival.

"The event is very significant because it serves as one of the festivals of the community and it is not fetish as some may think it to be.

Elder Michael Akpakpa, said, what we are doing today is to be inducted into Ogwere as elders and before you become an elder, you must work for the community for ten years.

"Before one is selected to be inducted into Edio/Elders Council you must not be woman snatcher, a thief or be linked with anything criminating and if in the process one is found wanting, he will be disqualified. So the Ogwere festival is meant for men if impeccable characters."

He also pointed out that, "The ancient Ogwere festival is what our forefathers has been celebrating from time immemorial and it has nothing fetish in it"