To celebrate the 2025 Amaseikumor Festival, one of the oldest and most enduring traditional festivals in Nigeria, Oporoza, the traditional headquarters of the Ijaw people of the Gbaramatu Kingdom, located in the Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, South-South Nigeria, is bustling with culture as tourists and traditionalists are converging.
The festival, popularly known as the “Festival of Peace, Justice, and Wealth,” typically takes place between March and April, is currently in full swing, with devotees engrossed in spirited worship and rituals. Over centuries, the festival has remained a cornerstone of Ijaw cultural identity, resisting the pressures of modernisation and maintaining its traditional essence.
A panoramic sweep of Oporoza not only reveals signs of the vibrant celebrations as evident in the surge in traveler traffic at Miller Waterside where free speedboats provided by the organisers ferry guests to Oporoza but also pilgrims arriving with joy and speedboat operators enthusiastically navigating the waterways, the dense line of caterers in the streets, and well-decorated canopies stretch from the Egbesu shrine through the grounds of the Oporoza Guest House to the old palace, all enveloped in an atmosphere of drumming and live music.
Speaking on the opening day of the festival, Barr. McDonald Igbadiwei, spokesman of the Gbaruan Nation, welcomed accredited journalists and clarified key cultural practices. He emphasised that the media is free to cover all aspects of the event and reassured the public that no human sacrifices are part of the festival.
Igbadiwei noted, “No woman is barred from the temple—except those currently on their monthly flow. Female journalists in such a condition must not approach the temple, as there are spiritual consequences. Male journalists who were intimate with a woman the night before must also undergo spiritual cleansing before entering the temple with their cameras.”
He reiterated on the subject of sacrifice: “There is no human sacrifice. The festival is sacred but not secret. Offerings include cows, rams, drinks, cash, and various food items to appease Amaseikumor—the goddess of prosperity, longevity, fertility, love, good health—and other Ijaw deities.”
The seven-day Amasiekumor Festival officially began on Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Oporoza. Igbadiwei explained that the ancient celebration is deeply rooted in Ijaw tradition and combines fun, entertainment, and spiritual reverence. Masquerades adorned in vibrant traditional regalia will parade on various days, while women and youth groups will participate in ceremonial dances honouring the goddess Amaseikumor.
The Amasiekumor Festival’s origins can be traced back to around 14 AD. Oral tradition holds that the first ritual was performed by the late Pa Obuko of Azama town, marking the festival’s inception. The festival is deeply spiritual, centred around the worship of an ancient river deity believed to embody peace and abundance.
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The festival is a powerful unifying force, drawing together all communities within the kingdom. Participation is both a duty and a celebration, reinforcing brotherhood and communal identity. Despite political, economic, and technological changes, the Amasiekumor Festival has preserved its core features and significance. It continues to serve as a cultural anchor for the Ijaw people, ensuring the transmission of traditional values and practices to future generations.
The Amaseikumor Festival stands out for several reasons, making it ripe for tourism development. As one of the oldest festivals in Nigeria, it offers a unique window into the Ijaw people’s traditions, beliefs, and artistic expressions. The festival also fosters unity and attracts dignitaries from across Nigeria and beyond, already serving as a magnet for visitors and contributing to the local economy.
The Amaseikumor Festival can boost Nigeria’s tourism score. To make the festival more accessible to domestic and international tourists, infrastructure and accessibility investments, such as hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants, need to be made to improve transport links to Gbaramatu, especially waterways. The government also needs to invest in hospitality infrastructure, such as guesthouses and restaurants.
Moreover, the Amaseikumor Festival must be integrated into Nigeria’s national tourism calendar alongside other major events like the Calabar Carnival and Durbar Festival. Multimedia campaigns showcasing the festival’s unique rituals, masquerades, and scenic environment, targeting local and international audiences, and collaborations with travel agencies to offer festival packages, including guided tours and cultural immersion experiences, will help achieve this integration.
Plus, government and community partnerships need to be fostered to propel Amaseikumor as a tourist force. Sustainable festival management and equitable sharing of tourism benefits can be achieved by collaboration between government, local authorities, and traditional institutions, as well as by supporting community-based tourism initiatives that empower locals and preserve the authenticity of the festival.
