Kingdom

The Okpe kingdom

Okpe is a kingdom of the western Delta with its seat at Orerokpe, where the Orodje of Okpe reigns. By tradition it began with the meeting of four founding brothers, Esezi, Evbreke, Orhoro and Orhue. The Okpe Union, founded in Lagos in 1930, is among the oldest cultural organisations in Nigeria.

Last checked 10 September 2026 · 3 sources

Ima dancers in white and red, with feathered headdresses, performing on a field at Orerokpe

Photo: Akposdiete / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. All photo credits

What we know so far

The Urhobo count Okpe as the largest of their 24 kingdoms. The Okpe Union describes the Okpe as an ethnic nationality in its own right. Both views are held sincerely, and we present both.

Okpe's great festival is Adane-Okpe at Orerokpe, held in late December, where masquerades recall the meeting of the four founding brothers.

Okpe's place within the Urhobo nation is described differently by different sources. Where accounts differ, we say so.

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