ONDE FIYAI SIIKO FESTIVAL OF OPOKUMA KINGDOM, AN INTERVIEW WITH HRM. KING OKPOITARI.

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By: bodmas kemepadei

This is an Ijaw festival celebrated by the Opokuma people (originally Opu-Okun) residing along the River nun of the Niger Delta region in Central Ijaw. It usually holds between the month of March to April 2nd thereabouts.

As the name implies "ONDE FIYAI SIIKO" translating in English to mean "the death of about many and the survival of twenty".

The festival marks a rebirth in the very crucial historical event of Opokuma Kingdom and it represents a reflection on the antique existence of the tragedy which occurred many years ago to the descendants of the Kingdom and it also marks a celebration of courage, civilisation, resilience, unity and power of the surviving older few; who enlarged the Kingdom, subdue the tragedy and transform the event into a comic ritual worthy of celebration by the entire Opokuma Kingdom.

According to the His Royal Majesty, King Okpoitari diongoli, the Ibedaowei of Opokuma Kingdom (Opu-Okun IV), in an interview with him in his palace, he revealed that;

Many years ago, the descendants of the entire Opokuma Clan Communally went on a fishing expedition. In the course of expedition, a large number of them went into the lake and got drowned without any survival, luckily for some of them numbering about twenty who were standing outside the lake, did not join into the tragic incident that consumed the life of the others, death therefore wiped out almost the whole descendants at the lake with only twenty persons surviving in the entire Kingdom. Sad as it was, the entire geographical space of the Kingdom was occupied by the surviving 20 people, who went back courageously, powerfully and in unity not allowing the tragic incident depress their mentals or even lost hope in the existence of the Kingdom. They grew their minds, overcame the storms and still multiplied the Kingdom in becoming the power heart of what it is today. Which is celebrated to identify with the courage, resilience, hope and power of the twenty.

The festival is therefore a celebration through combination of both sober reflection to reminisce on the tragic history and joyous exhibition to identify with spirit of the surviving twenty who did not give up on the existence of the Kingdom but fought through courage, determination and resilience to multiple and rebuild a Kingdom that has today raised many great leaders in Bayelsa State. Nigeria and all over the world.

The festival has been in existence for 31years now and remains the peoples heritage and tradition that is handed down from generation to generation plus will remain an epic festival continously attached to the roots of sons, daughters and well wishers of Opokuma Kingdom.

During the festival, activities such as fishing expedition done by women, traditional dances, wrestling, drama, singing, canoe race (Ama-Aru), street carnival, swimming competition, tug-of-war, food competitions, and many more are done.

The festival usually brings traditional rulers from all over the region, government personalities, academians, sons and daughters of the kingdom in the diaspora, friends & lovers of Opokuma kingdom from all spheres of Life.

This Year 2017 celebration had in attendance;

King Okpoitari Diongoli (Host) and his entire council of chiefs, King Bubaraye Dakolo (Ibedaowei of Ekpetiama clan), King Funpere Akah (Ibedaowei of Gbarain clan), King Agara Onya moses (Ibedaowei of Kolokuma Kingdom, Kala-Okun III), HRM King Edmond Dakoru (Amayanabo f Nembe, Represented by Chief Nathan Egba), Hon. Tonye Emmanuel Isenah (Chief whip, BYHA), Engr. Gesiye Asamaowei, Hon. Parkinson Mcmanuel (member BYHA, rep. Yenagoa), Hon. Wisdom fafi (Ag. Chairman, Kolokuma/opokuma LGA), and a host of many dignitaries, who were thrilled by the performances of Bayelsa state council for arts & culture dancers, short comic drama from the Opokuma students union, wrestling champions from various from various communities, etc.

The main event was held on the first day of April 2017, while the candle night procession done to kick-start the festival held on 28th march 2017, and ended with a beach party on 2nd April 2017.

The festival usually lasts for about 4 to 5days, and witnesses a lot of commercial activities.

Written by Bodmas P. Kemepadei and Doubra Sien.

@ This work is prohibited to be published in any other form without prior consent or reference to the writers.

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Nice one