SERIES 1*
```PART 1```
*INTRODUCTION* : ```THE ORIGINS AND VALUES OF THE CORONATION RITUALS OF THE OLÚ OF WARRI AND THE ITSEKIRI PEOPLE``` .

The *ITSEKIRI* are one of the minority groups in ```Delta State, Nigeria,``` _with WARRI Township as their Political Headquarter, and ODE-ITSEKIRI also called Big WARRI, as their Traditional Headquarter_ .

Although they have had contact with *EUROPEANS* since the Fifteen Century, their low population has contributed to their political unpopularity. Their contact and interaction with the *PORTUGUESE* in about 1516 and the education of ```DON DOMINGOS``` in 1600 in COIMBRA University and JESUIT College in PORTUGAL, make them a fortunate and proud People.
For it was through this that they have become probably one of the Communities in NIGERIA that have two EUROPEAN Silver and Diamond Crowns - one for ```DON DOMINGOS``` , and the other for his ```PORTUGUESE Wife``` . Even with all these advantages, they are not very well known outside Delta State, except in BENIN City and Western YORUBA States in Nigeria.

Thus, this is an attempt to bring the ITSEKIRI into limelight on the map of Nigeria as well as on the international map of the world.
However, attention will be focused on the rituals surrounding the coronation of the OLÚ Of WARRI.

Furthermore, it should be noted that every aspect of the life of the ITSEKIRI is permeated with traditional religion. Anyone who lives among the ITSEKIRI will be surprised to observe that in word and deed, in fact, in all things, they are very ritualistic, and thus very religious.
_The terrace of the ITSEKIRI Country made up of large Rivers, Creeks, Mangrove and Rain Forests, and the Atlantic Ocean might have contributed in no small measure to their attachment to water beings rather than the YORUBA deities such as, Sàngó and Ògún. Their behaviour, in greeting, eating, singing, dancing, house building, travelling, marriage, pregnancy, child-birth, puberty, fishing, nay from cradle to the grave, it is rituals, and nothing but rituals and ceremonies_ .
It is interesting to observe that what ```Ninian Smart``` calls secular rituals - Good morning, saying good bye are all sacred rituals in ITSEKIRI. They believe that as God is Omnipresent, similarly their Ancestors and deities could be venerated anywhere in the world. Thus to the ITSEKIRI, every spot is a sacred ground.

According to ```William A. Moore``` :
The ITSEKIRI was originally a pagan and even at this moment, his belief in many gods still possesses him.

The ITSEKIRI thus encompassed with the Atlantic Ocean, great Rivers like BENIN, ESCRAVOS and FORCADOS, and the Creeks as well as the Mangrove and Rain Forests for habitation, absolutely believe that ÙMÀLÒKUN, the Atlantic Ocean god, is the son of God, and that all the Rivers and Creeks, as well as the Forests around are inhabited by spirits - _Ùmàlè and Egúngún_ .
Thus, in order to live in peace in their environment, the ITSEKIRI worship these spirits, ÙMÀLÒKUN being the Chief of the deities. The ITSEKIRI believe that ÙMÀLÒKUN, ÙMALÈ and EGÚNGÚN are all God's children.

(i) *SCOPE OF THE STUDY*
Apart from several activities performed by individuals or groups in Itsekiriland as well as the history of the people, this thesis is primarily concerned with the coronation rituals of the OLÚ Of WARRI.

The word 'Coronation' is derived from the Latin _Corona, meaning a Crown_ . ```Thus, coronation is the art of Crowning a Sovereign. Ritual has its etymology also in Latin, ritualis, meaning, relating to or of the nature of rites, manner of performing divine service, a body or code of ceremonies ... performance of rites.
```
The *ITSEKIRI* are very jealous of their *CROWN* , and they guard it with the greatest respect. In both EDO and DELTA States, the OLÚ Of WARRI is second in command to the OBA Of BENIN. Thus, it is a herculean task, in modern political situation to probe into the ritualism of the OLÚ Of WARRI.

According to _P.C. Lloyd_ and _Major A.G. Leonard_ , Jekri territory is bounded in the North by BÌNÍ, in the South by IJO, in the East by SOBO, and in the West by Atlantic Ocean, ÀRÒGBÒ and OMÓLÙMÁ (ÌLÀJĘ). See both attached Maps.
Simply put, Itsekiriland is bounded in the North by ÈDÓ (Ovia Local Government), in the North-East by the ÙRHÒBÒ, in the West by ÌLÀJĘ, ÈZÓN (IJAW) EGBEMA and ÀRÒGBÒ in ONDO State, in the South by the ATLANTIC OCEAN and in the South-East by the ÈZÓN in BÙRÙTÚ Local Government.

OBJECTIVES*
The primary objective of this thesis is to conduct a phenomenological investigation into the coronation rituals of the OLÚ Of WARRI in Delta State, Nigeria, with a view to highlighting their spiritual and sociological values.
Furthermore, we would examined the origin of the rituals, their mode of ceremonies and significance to the _WARRI_ *Throne* through participant approach. This objective also included the evaluation of the impact of the rituals on the _OLÚ Of WARRI_ and the entire _ITSEKIRI PEOPLE_ , and thus reduce the mystery surrounding the period between the seclusion of the _ÌDÀNÌKĘN (OLÚ-ELECT)_ and the Coronation of the OLÚ.

Similarly, the thesis is very much intended to serve as a handy reference document for the ITSEKIRI, in particular, and scholars of Religion and History in general. It will also be very useful for those who are yearning for deeper knowledge into the spirituality and correct nomenclature of the different terminologies connected with the coronation rituals of the OLÚ Of WARRI.
For instance, during the seclusion of the present OLÚ Of WARRI, IKENWOLI, he was addressed as ÒMÒBA, instead of ÌDÀNÌKĘN. This is one of the problems of oral tradition.

The study employed multiplex approach adopted in historical and religious research. Moreover, the study also attempted an unbiased objective historical origin of the ITSEKIRI, gathered from primary sources, that is Elders and Chiefs. This was supplemented with secondary sources from books, journals and magazines.

Furthermore, thematic phenomenological participant approach have been employed to determine the ritualistic and sociological significance, as well as the impact of the rituals on the ITSEKIRI People.
Also, the participation of S.M.O. ONOVIRAKPO (Dept. of Religious Studies, O.A.U, Ile-Ife; 1998) has generated empathetical and comparative interpretation of the history and rituals from the point of view of the ITSEKIRI People.

(iv) *REVIEW OF LITERATURE*
The traditional religion of the ITSEKIRI has not been thematically researched into by indigenous as well as foreign writers. Most writers have adopted historical rather than a religious approach. Here we shall review the literature according to the year of publication.

```William A. Moore``` is most probably the first indigenous ITSEKIRI to publish an extensive work on ITSEKIRI. His book titled, _HISTORY OF ITSEKIRI_ (First edition 1936, second edition 1970) is a very helpful document on ITSEKIRI.
```Moore``` focuses attention on the history of the establishment of WARRI KINGDOM by ```IGÍNÚWÀ``` , the dynasty of some OLÚ Of WARRI, some key figures in ITSEKIRI, the advent of PORTUGUESE, WARRI Land court cases, Colonial Government, Administration in WARRI and the economic organization of the People.
And about God, ```Moore``` asserts thus:
" ```Right deep at the bottom of the Itsekiriman's mind is the belief in One Supreme Being whom he called ORITSE (GOD).
He (the ITSEKIRI) regarded Him as the Creator of Heaven and Earth, and trusted Him as the Father of all``` ."



Watch out for Part 2

Cc efewestern

I will come to read

about time we stop demonizing our traditional religious beliefs, never knew Ikenwoli was once addressed as Omoba.


lalasticlala
seun

Efewestern:
about time we stop demonizing our traditional religious beliefs, never knew Ikenwoli was once addressed as Omoba.


lalasticlala
seun

What does omoba mean?

urahara:


What does omoba mean?

Son of a king
Crowned prince


Once a king dies in Itsekiri the successor is announced and he is called Omoba/Daniken Itselu (Corrupt form of Ediaken Uselu of Benin)

urahara:

What does omoba mean?

Omo = Child
Oba = King
Omoba = Son of king.
These are common yoruboid words we come across daily.

Nice keep it coming , but olu itshekiri is before the Enogies in Esanland first before Oba of Benin.... That is the right structure !!

Let's see if it will make front page, can the OP add few snake stories to it to get to front page?

sulakishop:
Let's see if it will make front page, can the OP add few snake stories to it to get to front page?

It won't. Don't bother.

Looking for someone who is very proficient in ishekiri language.. I want to do a project on the grammar of the language.. Who can help?

babyfaceafrica:
Looking for someone who is very proficient in ishekiri language.. I want to do a project on the grammar of the language.. Who can help?

Cc: onuwaje.

there re several videos online on how to speak the itsekiri language, the language grammar is similar to ilaje and ikale.

Efewestern:


Cc: onuwaje.

there re several videos online on how to speak the itsekiri language, the language grammar is similar to ilaje and ikale.

it is actually a masters project I want to embark on...I am a linguist.. Therefore I will Like my primary source to be human.. I can then use the videos as secondary sources

babyfaceafrica:
it is actually a masters project I want to embark on...I am a linguist.. Therefore I will Like my primary source to be human.. I can then use the videos as secondary sources

If you re In SS you can visit any of those itsekiri community, they will be glad to help you out.

if you re in SW you can go to ondo, ilaje to be precise, gather some info there, they share same structure and grammar with itsekiri.

i would advice you come to Delta.

babyfaceafrica:
Looking for someone who is very proficient in ishekiri language.. I want to do a project on the grammar of the language.. Who can help?

Send me a mail

babyfaceafrica you will find this page useful on your project, you can contact the admin if you re lost .

https://mobile./1607567362824489?refid=18&__tn__=C-R

Efewestern:
babyfaceafrica you will find this page useful on your project, you can contact the admin if you re lost .

https://mobile./1607567362824489?refid=18&__tn__=C-R

thanks will check now

onuwaje:

Send me a mail

sent Sir