By Fatima Maikasuwa
The Urhobo people of Delta State, Nigeria, are an ethnic group with a rich history, vibrant culture, and deeply rooted traditions.
As the major ethnic group in Delta State, with a population of approximately 7 million, the Urhobos have long maintained a distinct identity, shaped by their environment, historical migrations, and unique social structures.
The Urhobo people are believed to have migrated from Edo land during the reign of the Ogiso dynasty in ancient Benin.
This historical connection has left a lasting bond between the Urhobo and Edo-speaking people, with many of their settlements in regions like Warri, Ughelli, and Ethiope tracing back to this migration.
the Urhobo people have traditionally thrived in an environment rich in natural resources. Farming, hunting, and fishing have long been central to their economy, providing sustenance and a means of trade.
However, with the discovery of petroleum in their lands, the region has undergone significant changes. While the Nigerian state has benefitted from oil wealth
The Urhobo people have endured the environmental degradation that has accompanied oil exploration. Rivers once bountiful with fish are now polluted, and farmlands have been destroyed, forcing the people to adapt and find new means of survival.
Marriage in Urhobo society is regarded as a sacred bond, both spiritual and cultural, between two families. Traditionally, marriages involve intricate ceremonies where dowries are exchanged, prayers are offered to the ancestors, and families play a key role in ensuring the success of the union.
The Urhobo have several types of marriages, ranging from arranged unions to those based on courtship. Divorce is a rarity in Urhobo culture, with great emphasis placed on maintaining family unity and harmony.
The Urhobo people are deeply religious, worshipping Oghene, the supreme deity, alongside various other divinities and ancestors. Their belief system is steeped in rituals, incantatory poetry, and offerings to the spirits, seeking favour, protection, and blessings.
Traditional festivals such as the Ohworu, held in the southern part of Urhobo land, celebrate water spirits and are a testament to their spiritual connection to their natural environment.
These festivals, filled with masquerades, dancing, and water-related activities, have become part of the vibrant Urhobo heritage.
Urhobo society is highly organised, with a system of governance led by kings known as Ovie who serves as a cultural and political leader, surrounded by a council of elders.
Different Urhobo kingdoms, such as Okpe and Agbarho, have their unique titles for their traditional rulers, but all recognize the Ovie as a symbol of unity and authority
Political titles such as the Otota (speaker) and Ilorogun (chiefs) help maintain order and uphold justice within the community.
One of the most cherished aspects of Urhobo culture is its cuisine. Famous dishes like Banga soup, made from palm kernel, are a staple of Urhobo culinary tradition.
Often served with starch (Usi), a cassava-based dish, Banga soup has gained popularity across the country. Other traditional delicacies such as Ukhodo, a hearty dish of yam and unripe plantain, and Oghwevwri, a rich soup made with smoked fish and bush meat,
The Urhobo people follow a unique lunar calendar, with each month consisting of 28 days.
Festivals and religious observances are closely tied to the cycles of the moon, and markets, marriages, and community rituals are often scheduled according to these cycles.
Festivals celebrating harvests, honouring ancestors, and marking sacred days are a significant part of Urhobo life, bringing families and communities together in a shared expression of cultural pride and reverence for the spiritual world.
