Iyeri festival, Ughelli

About the festival

Iyeri is the most popular of the festivals of the Urhobo-speaking people of Ughelli, held every year in September. It traces back to Irivwidide, an Ughelli princess, priestess and warrior remembered for leading her people in battle.

The festival runs over several days. The Ovie of Ughelli serves the clan ancestors and family heads serve their fathers' shrines; a day is set aside to honour departed mothers; and dance troupes perform, among them Ema, the royal dance used to pay homage to the king.

On the eighth evening, the people of Iwhreko paddle decorated canoes on the Ughelli river in the Umalokun regatta. Otor-Iwhreko also hosts the Omaluku (or Umalokun) festival, offered to Oghene through the spirit of the water, which some sources place in the last week of September.

Accounts differ on how Omaluku and the Iyeri regatta relate, and on the exact days. Ask in Ughelli before you travel.