As part of my agenda in exposing the culture of my people(Ilaje , Urhobo, Itsekiri, Ijo e.tc) to the world, today we will be discussing about The Umale festival of the Itsekiri and Ilaje people. Its no longer news that the Ilaje share so many things with The Itsekiri nation, Be it language, Culture, Monarchy e.tc as such I do classify The Ilaje as an Itsekiri Offspring (Disputable) .. Here we go..

Umale Okere - Itsekiri

People living in the ancient town of Warri often looked with nostalgia to the season of Awankere, also called Umale Okere, an annual masquerade festival with epicentre of the celebration at Okere main square. It’s a mix of culture, tradition, dancing and humour. Umale Okere is virtually the most popular Itsekiri festival in Warri with so much social fun and excitement, attracting indigenes and non-indigenes alike beyond ethnic divide. Visitors and residents of Warri, including eminent personalities from all walks of life converge at Okere to watch the festival.

People – young and old, including children, line up on both sides of the expansive Okere Road from Esisi junction to the centre point, a massive crowd, jostling curiously to catch a glimpse of the masquerades, men and women dancing to the traditional drum beats with amidst sexy, obscene remarks by women and tantalizing songs, emotional and romantic.

The elegance and beauty of the festival, graced by the masquerades in attires almost akin to the costume and apparels worn by Eyo masquerades in Lagos during Adamorisha festival are amazing.

The origin of Umale Okere festival dates back to pre- independence years in the era of British colonialism. It emanated from Ekpen family, owners of Okere that married a woman called Diden who hailed from the neighbouring Ekurede, the place where the palace of the Olu of Warri is located. An Ekurede woman married to Ekpen family of Okere. The masquerades are customary acknowledgement of the marital ties between the two.

The leader of the masquerades is called Öshogwa Umale”with several bodyguards while the others filed out in a single line for seven market days of Okere till the last day. At the rear of the masquerades is “Okwooye”, wearing a big hat and holding a whip, dressed in baggy attire touching the ground due to oversize.

The mother of them all, referred to as Queen, is called “Eleghe”, very gentle, majestic and moves in measured steps, walking on red carpet. It is rarely seen in public – once in 50 years. Many people see Eleghe only once in their life time. Its public appearance is now reduced to 25 years.

According to Erikowa who lived in Ekurede, since 1956, Eleghe came out twice. For the masquerades, after their appearance on the seventh market day, they go back to the shrine known as “Ekun”, opening their faces on the way.

Women come out to seek their blessings and favour for children, to strike out failures and curses from their lives, to seek success in life. On the last day also, everyone comes to appeal to the Umales as they return to the shrine to cast away their misfortunes and problems, bring prosperity, give them long life, take away sickness, troubles and not to have afflictions in life again.

[img]http://cdn2.vanguardngr.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/300x200xAwankere-300x200.gif.pagespeed.ic.LrENFf2Uzo.webp[/img]

[img]http://cdn1.vanguardngr.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/300x200xAwankere1-300x200.gif.pagespeed.ic.Sk8uOoS2Dd.webp[/img]

Umale Festival - Ilaje People

UMALE Aju is the anscestral masked dancer of the Jomoyetoyo royal family of [ Odojomo, Igbotako, Osooro] Ilaje, Ondo State in Nigeria. The dancers represent anscestral spirit, the costumes are carved headress in the shape of water fowls or masks with colorfull fabrics covering the body.

They dance to choreographed drum rhythms and dance steps. The festival is usually celebrated around Christmas time every 7 years. Many members of the family return home to celebrate the ways of our anscestors.



Credits: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/07/awankere-unifying-carnival-for-warri-people/

The above post is subject to modification.. Cc : Scholes0, freemanan , Fratermathy , onuwaje , tonyebarcanista e.tc

Well, it would be a complete error to describe Ilaje as Offsprings of itsekiri. .
The other way round is more like it

The Eyo attire is of Ijebu influence. ..see how it bares resemblance with the itsekiri Masquerades above, evidence of Ijebu influence in itsekiri culture

macof:
Well, it would be a complete error to describe Ilaje as Offsprings of itsekiri. .
The other way round is more like it

The Eyo attire is of Ijebu influence. ..see how it bares resemblance with the itsekiri Masquerades above, evidence of Ijebu influence in itsekiri culture

that y I said disputable brov .. thanks for ur contribution. api Sunday..seun , lalasticlalala

Seun y is it that anything that has to do with minorities does nt hit FP ?.. Is this thread not okay enough ?.. Sorry for questioning you.. also here is another thread about Us => https://www.nairaland.com/2798934/new-olu-warri-ogiame-ikenwoli which is supposed to be on FP but no..

Seun , Lalasticlala, Pls help us out..

Seun , lalasticlala .. help us LA... abeg

.
Space 4 sale

Do u want to read the latest news,breaking
news,celeb gist,gossips,tech news, world news
and many more visit http://
adeatom..com It is always updated
and up to date every minute come and check
regularly

What's the different between Ikale and Ilaje people

.





















.






















.

















.














NOT4SALE .





















.






















.

















.














NOT4SALE



































,




















.














.
















.















.















.














Na only me get Nairaland ; fvck the mods, fvck everyone eyeing this plot of land.
Even Dasuki's loot can't buy you this.

Hmmm

All i see are men dressed in pillow cases and raffia socks.

Whats entertaining about these lot

The most beaviful festiv in naija, nice

Nice one goodboiyy

Ok

Great ppl,great tribe...@ april4th

Lllll

Seen

okay for the present.

.

space booked

Ma mum said umale(ilaje/ikale) is very wicked. She said It once killed 18people in a household within a 24hrs after a woman(member of the household) whose money was stolen cast spell on thieve nd those that spent d money wit him/her at the umale shrine. Whereas it was her stepson dat stole the money. When umale started kiln them, even the woman was nt spared

Your people ? Ilaje,Itsekiri , urhorbo and ijaw?

They are your people ? Are u now claiming that ijaw is also a yoruboid group?

Goodboiyy be very careful and stop been mischievous ... Those four group are distinct/different tribes ... They got nothing in common...

Ijos, urhorbo are not ur people pls
U're Itsekiri

Sydney22:
Your people ? Ilaje,Itsekiri , urhorbo and ijaw?

They are your people ? Are u now claiming that ijaw is also a yoruboid group?

Goodboiyy be very careful and stop been mischievous ... Those four group are distinct/different tribes ... They got nothing in common...

Ijos, urhorbo are not ur people pls
U're Itsekiri

Why una they behave like this na ?.. Wen did I say Ijaw is Yoruboid ?.. Av I not been promoting the unity Of those said tribe ? , Is anything wrong calling Ijaw or ilaje my people ?.. need i remind you that my mom is Urhobo ?.. Wat do you mean that urhobo re nt my people.. wat do you know about me ?.. all my thread are just centered on Those tribe, wat does that mean to you?

---

Wenti they pain me pass be say you re not from any of the said tribe. trying to Cous confusion..

b0y:
All i see are men dressed in pillow cases and raffia socks.

Whats entertaining about these lot

must u comment..