Traditionalists, Tourists throng Oporoza to celebrate Amasiekumor in grand style

OPOROZA, the traditional headquarters of Gbaramatu kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State has become a Mecca of a sort with traditional worshippers and tourists across the Nation gathered in celebration of Amasiekumor festival 2025.

The annual festival dubbed "festival of peace, justice and wealth" is in full swing with adherents having a great time worshipping in supplications.

Evidence of the great festival can be gleaned from the huge travellers movement witnessed at the Miller waterside boarding free speedboats provided freely by the organisers.

A Contonou boat ladden with unspecified number of cows, sheeps and goats, others with assorted foodstuffs heading off to Oporoza is eloquent testimony of the preparedness for the festival.

The smile on the faces of the pilgrims and the speedboat operators with itchy fingers on their gears but confirmed an inner satisfaction.

At Oporoza, a large numbers of caterers dotted the nook and cranny of the town offering food to the pilgrims and tourists including journalists without discrimination.

Well decorated canopies are laid out around the Egbesu shrine lining up through the side of the Oporoza Guest House to the old palace building with musicians playing amidst a cacophony of drumming.

Gbaruan Nation Spokesman, Barr. McDonald Igbadiwei on the first day clarified to journalists that the media can cover everything aspect of the Amasiekumor festival and inform the world about the rich Ijaw cultural festival that there is no human sacrifice.

He noted that "no woman is barred from the temple too, except women in their flow."

He added, "The female journalists, if you are in your flow do not near the temple as there is spiritual consequence. For the male journalists,  if you met with a woman last night, you cannot enter the temple with your camera without being cleansed” he warned.

The spokesman disclosed this while addressing the accredited visiting media teams on the various activities of the festival and the ”dos” and "don’ts" during the ceremony. 

The festival formally kicked off Saturday, 19th April 2025 in Oporoza, the ancestral headquarters of Gbaramatu kingdom in Warri South West Local government area of Delta state.

Igbadiwei revealed that the ancient Amaseikumor festival is an aged long festival characterized with a mixture of fun, entertainment and Ijaw spirituality as masquerades on different days will come in their different apparels adorned beautifully with colours and electrifying Ijaw cultural masquerade dancing. 

Women and youths group adherents will also dance in their procession, all in honour and worship of the annual 2025 Amaseikumor festival.

On the spirituality and sacrifice to Amaseikumor, Igbadiwei said, "There is no human sacrifice. There is no secret, but the festival is sacred. The only blood sacrifice is cow and ram, drinks, cash and other food items to appease the gods Amaseikumor goddess and other deities of the Ijaw nation.

"The primary idea of inviting the media to cover our annual festival is to help in showcasing the Ijaw rich cultural heritage to the world. 

"It is like a carnival as Ijaws and different tribes in Niger Delta will converge here in the Amaseikumor festival in Oporoza’ just like every other years.

The 2025 Amaseikumor festival is getting more attention with different media houses coming from far and near for accreditation including international media organizations, like the CNN and others.

The ancient Oporoza town is adorned with beautiful colors of wrappers with houses newly painted beautifully to the admiration of guests.

Igbadiwei noted further that, "There is no secret here to hide from the world. But the festival itself is sacred and holy one as Amaseikumor is the gods of prosperity, longevity, fertility, love and above all good health.” he revealed.

He cautioned journalists to guide their cameras, phones and laptops very well as some persons who are in the Amaseikumor festival are not for worship, but to steal which the organizers of the Amaseikumor festival would not be held responsible.

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