Obẹnẹ: Urhobo Love Sustainably The Act Urhobo love. Obẹnẹ, is one of the finest approaches to love in the world. But surprisingly younger Urhobo people in present times believe that Urhobos of previous times did not know what love was. Ojahwevwe! Obẹnẹ, the Urhobo version of love is not…
Tag: Urhobo people
Culture as Institution
Is Jazz Urhobo Music? II
Is Jazz Urhobo Music? II In part one, I talked about scat originating in Urhoboland, then known as Otọr Urhobo. ‘Djueta, scat, was never introduce into Uhuoro’ojevwu merely because it sounded good, or words were lacking. The words of song in Uhuoro’ojevwu were subversive in the utmost. Leaders, Big People,…
Culture as Institution
Is Jazz Urhobo Music? I
Is Jazz Urhobo Music? I Odeyovwi; Kọdiọ rẹ ihweje [If it is so good; every one lays claim to it.] – Ancient Urhobo saying. Ọmẹ v’ọroavware diọvo. [My own and our own is not the same.] – Ancient Urhobo saying. Jazz trumpeter Lester Bowie once said jazz was originally a…
Culture as Institution
The Igbe Religion – A Faith
The Igbe Religion – A Faith Igbe is neither my personal nor family religion. Stiil, I lived in Urhoboland, where it originated and people still practise it, long enough to observe the faith with considerable detachment. I have also seen its practice in the United Kingdom. It is an Urhobo…
Culture as Institution
Urhobo Blow (UB): A True Martial Art?
Urhobo Blow (UB): A True Martial Art? Urhobo Blow (UB), Ubi ejeh [service of punches] or Ohonre r’ubi [battle of punches], is a traditional martial art developed by the Urhobos for military action, but in recent times, it became a contest of strength by young males at annual or seasonal festivals. UB…
Culture as Institution
Do The Urhobos Need Saviours or Leaders?
Do The Urhobos Need Saviours or Leaders? At the moment the Urhobo nation is both essentially saviourless and leaderless, forget the ethnic bosses. Chiefs Mukoro Mowoe, Michael Ibru, David Ejoor, Great Ogboru, and James Ibori have all been arguably seen as saviours of the Urhobo nation. However, only the legacies…
Culture as Institution
The Urhobos Do Come Last – Mostly in Politics
The Urhobos Do Come Last – Mostly in Politics As ridiculous as it may sound, if Anioma were to be granted a State today, the new capital of Delta State would be either Koko (Itsekiriland) or Bomadi (Ijawland) or even Oleh (Isokoland). However, some Urhobos are crying for a [reinstated]…
Musings
Urhobos Once Spoke Great
Urhobos Once Spoke Great Part I I am Enemuadia, a young male eghele and wrestler, at home with my father, Bamon. His real name is Agbaimoni but no one calls him that unless there is something very serious happening. We are at home in Okunoho, Idjerhe. We are originally from…