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Unyeada Fishing Festival 2024 Celebrates Rich Cultural Heritage and Skilled Fishermen
Written by: Tamunotonye Pamela
The town of Unyeada, located in Andoni, Rivers State, Nigeria, came alive on Friday, 5th July 2024, as it celebrated the annual Unyeada Fishing Festival, also known as Ijok-irin in the native Obolo language. This longstanding tradition, which has been cherished for hundreds of years, holds significant cultural value to the community, as highlighted by
Pastor Chief Timothy W. Ntideng, General Secretary of the Unyeada Kingdom Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers.
The day's festivities kicked off in the early hours of the morning with the traditional canon firing signaling the start of the activities
A high-spirited parade of young men, symbolizing their transition into adulthood to join the 'ogbo-anange', showcased vibrant displays of tradition, including singing, chants, and dances that resonated throughout the town. As the day progressed, the festival entered its second phase at noon, featuring a decorative showcase of traditional fishing tools and the rare aquatic catches of the courageous Unyeada fishermen. The exhibition wowed spectators with displays of live mega-sized fresh fishes, large adult dolphin teeth, water antelope tusks, and other fascinating treasures from the sea.
La ville d'Unyeada, située dans l'État de Rivers, au Nigeria, s'est animée le vendredi 5 juillet 2024, lors de la célébration du festival annuel de la pêche d'Unyeada, également connu sous le nom d'Ijok-irin dans la langue locale Obolo. Cette tradition ancestrale, qui est chérie depuis des centaines d'années, a une valeur culturelle significative pour la communauté, comme l'a souligné le Pasteur Chef Timothy W Ntideng, Secrétaire Général du Conseil Suprême des Rois Traditionnels du Royaume d'Unyeada
Les festivités de la journée ont débuté tôt le matin avec le traditionnel tir de canon annonçant le début des activités. Une parade animée de jeunes hommes, symbolisant leur passage à l'âge adulte pour rejoindre l'ogboanange, a présenté des spectacles vibrants de tradition, incluant chants, danses et chants qui ont résonné dans toute la ville.
During the official opening remark, His Eminence, King (Dr.) Israel U.Otuo IX JP, OkaanAma and Paramount Ruler of Unyeada Kingdom represented by Oro-Uboon (Chf.) Eugene L. Elleh, Chairman Otuo King Makers Assembly, expressed his gratitude to the government for recognizing the Unyeada Fishing Festival as a tourism hotspot in Rivers State. In response, Barr. Tomonialadieokuma Ishmael (Permanent Secretary Ministry of Culture and Tourism) applauded the efforts of the 33 communities of Unyeada Kingdom for consistently organizing the Unyeada fishing festival for centuries. He noted that, "the elephant sanctuary is known. The Ikuru beach is known; the coastal line of Andoni is also known... We (the government) are thinking of a ferry from Andoni to São Tomé and Príncipe that will further develop good tourism in the area"
"We came here to see this thing (the Unyeada Fishing Festival) and we have seen it Everything here we have seen will be reported to the governor; he will be aware of what we are doing here and in no distance time, the name of Unyeada will be on the globe".
Unyeada fishermen exhibit rare sea treasures and their traditional fishing tools at the festival.
Guest Exhibitor:
Mr. Victor Otuka, Curator, National Commission for Museum and Monuments
Port Harcourt
Other central cultural highlight of the festival was the ceremonial presentation of the traditional salad 'ogo' to visitors. According to the tradition, elderly women performed a captivating dance as they carried the tray of spicy palm oild drenched fish meal to offer to the king regent, who represented the king of Unyeada Kingdom. This traditional ritual added a touch of heritage and respect to the event as the Ogo traditional salad was then presented to dignitaries in attendance
Master of Ceremony, MC Octopus, acknowledged the presence of high profile government officials, traditional rulers, visitors from neighboring communities, the Ijaw nation, and Andoni's sons and daughters who traveled from afar to partake in the celebrations The festival buzzed with excitement, as traditional music, masquerade displays, and vibrant dances filled the atmosphere with joy and camaraderie.
Ogo is a special traditional dish usually served to important visitors. It is prepared with dry fish, bush pepper, and palm oil Traditionally, only menopausal women are allowed to present this meal to visitors as women of childbearing age are considered 'unsuitable'
(french read) Un point culminant culturel central du festival était la présentation cérémoniale de la salade traditionnelle 'ogo' aux visiteurs. Selon la tradition, des femmes âgées ont effectué une danse captivante alors qu'elles portaient le plateau de repas de poisson trempé dans de l'huile de palme épicée pour l'offrir au régent du roi, qui représentait le roi du Royaume Unyeada. Ce rituel traditionnel a ajouté une touche d'héritage et de respect à l'événement, car la salade traditionnelle Ogo a ensuite été présentée aux dignitaires présents.
Le maître de cérémonie, MC Octopus, a reconnu la présence de hauts fonctionnaires du gouvernement, de chefs traditionnels, de visiteurs des communautés voisines, de la nation Ijaw et des fils et filles d'Andoni venus de loin pour participer aux festivités Le festival était animé par l'excitation, la musique traditionnelle, les démonstrations de masques et les danses vibrantes remplissaient l'atmosphère de joie et de camaraderie.
