Okolode: A Yearly Festival To Honour Handwork, Women Of Ekpetiama

Although culture and tradition seem to be gradually fading away because of Christianity influence, ethnic groups and communities still celebrate their tradition which has been there even before the advent of Christianity.
By and large, people still celebrate festivals like the New Yam Festival, Eyo Masquerade, and other forms of festivals no matter the multitude of churches around, a way of keeping and sustaining the African tradition.
In Bayelsa State, most of these traditional festivals are still being celebrated. One of them is the Okolode New Yam Festival that is annually celebrated by the people of great Ekpetiama Kingdom in Yenagoa Local Government Area.
King of Ekpetiama, His Royal Majesty King Bubaraye Dakolo, the Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, Agada IV, has taken it upon himself to celebrate the Okolode New Yam Festival since he mounted the traditional seat of the kingdom.
That was why on June 10, 2023, all roads led once again to one of the communities in the kingdom Akaibiri.
That very day was dry and serene unlike other years that the heavens usually opened to vomit enough water to disrupt the festival.
The joy that heralded the community that day was evident as everyone was visibly happy.
The event which took place at the Akaibiri school field, had people from all walks of life. The smiling faces at the center proved that there is always unity in diversity.
The Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama kingdom, King Dakolo, who is also the chairman of Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, in the company of his council of chiefs and other royal majesties from other kingdoms, performed the annual ritual of breaking and having a bite of the new yam.
That piece was eaten with a gravy very common in Bayelsa, especially among the Ijaws.
The Bayelsa State cultural troupe and women from the other seven communities that make up the Ekpetiama Kingdom- Gbarantoru, Tombia, Agudama, Bumoundi, Akaibiri, Bumoundi-Gbene and Ikibiri, lightened up the new yam celebration as their dancing earned them enough money as gratification from the impressed guests.
Speaking about the yam, King Dakolo explained that the people of Ekpetiama value yam a lot because it is very rich in antioxidants and aids in the treatment of diabetes.
He said that it also promotes excellent vision, lowers blood pressure level and reduces blood cholesterol level among other benefits.
The king maintained that the essence of the new yam festival was for the kingdom to thank God for a bountiful harvest in Ekpetiama kingdom.
He also used the occasion to urge his people to be more united and love one another more than ever.
The King said: “What I will send here as my message for Okolode is the power of working together. I want to let us know that there is a law called law of karma. Some call it sowing and reaping; that means, whatever you sow is what you will get, and sometimes you get it much more.
He added that the importance of working together cannot be over-emphasized stating that the message of unity is just like the broom stick, stressing, “if you are alone, it is easy to break but when you have a bunch of broom, I can tell us the whole of this gathering can’t even break it”.
The King said that Ekpetiama Kingdom has to walk together, and called for peace.
“Some of you are quarreling. You want to get a chief for 21 years, you can’t get one.
“You get a chief, you want to drag him down and drag him in the mud and all of that. This is 2023, the world is not waiting for you.
“No matter how brilliant you are, if you are working alone, one day you wake up and realize that you don’t have the capacity to even lift a cup of water. When you unite, there is nothing that you cannot do,” he admonished.
The Ijaw man according to him, is someone who understands unity and he questioned what is going on these days.
For those having difficulty working together, he said the opportunity was on ground to make amends adding that from now on, he would not look back.
Douye Diri/Agbedi:
The special guest of honour was the Bayesa State governor, Douye Diri, represented by the secretary to the state government, Alabo Gideon Ekeowei who also had a bite of the new yam.
Promising not to miss next year’s celebration, the SSG said that the essence of unity cannot be overemphasized.
He said there is gain in love and peace and that where there is peace, there is development.
The governor’s representative said the people of Bayelsa State have decided to love themselves and to live together as a community.
“As we gather here today, I’m struck by the sense of community camaraderie that fills the air. This is beautiful. That is how it should be.
“As you know, the Okolode new yam festival serves as a unifying force that brings people together from various strata and ethnicities.
“Through this festival, we are reminded that despite our diverse backgrounds, we have a lot in common. Our traditions, values and beliefs bring us together and, it is important we uphold and preserve them for the future generations”.
He hinted at the tourism potentials of the festival.
“Beyond the carnivals and fanfare of festivals, there is real opportunity to make culture a money spinner within the scheme of our economic activities. It is thus, the determination of this administration, to continue to support traditional authorities to harness and develop these potentials.
The governor said gathering such ideals will only be possible when all foster an atmosphere of peace stating that the state government will not relent in ensuring the highest level of security and peace in all the communities.
He admonished traditional rulers to work for peace in their domain.
Said he: “I urge our respected traditional rulers to remain vigilant and caution our energetic and innovative youths not to allow themselves to become too desperate.
“It is my hope that Okolode festival will not only serve as a celebration of our past but also, as an opportunity to build connections and further understanding between different communities”.
Alabo Gideon Ekeowei said that through events like the new yam festival, people come together and celebrate the things that make the state unique and special.
“Let us celebrate love and unity and brotherhood knowing, that through festivals like this, we can build a more prosperous united and inclusive community.
Chairman of the festival celebration, Hon Fred Agbedi who, was represented by Dein Binadoumini, who also took part in tasting a piece of the new yam, stated that culture is a way of life of the people which, revolves around their age-long native laws, customs and traditions.
He advised the people of Ekpetiama Kingdom to uphold the tradition handed down to them by their ancestors for the unity, progress and prosperity of the kingdom and the Ijaw nation.
He said he was happy with Ekpetiama Clan because, for him, the festival is a continuous re-awakening to let the young know about their culture.
“We cannot allow our culture to die. We urge all other clans to emulate them and ensure that our culture continues to strive and even does better.
HRM, King Collins Boutua Aranka, Opu Okun V, who was royal father of the day accompanied by King Mozi Agara, the Ibenanaowei of Kolokuma and King Solomon Ebifate of Koluama Kingdom, the Pere of Kabowei Kingdom HRM PS Erebulu from Delta State said they saw love flowing in Ekpetiama kingdom.
HRM, King Collins Boutua Aranka said the love and unity in the kingdom should be more than what he witnessed.
“I greet my people of Ekpetiama Kingdom for hosting this nationally and internationally recognized festival,” he stated.
Her Royal Majesty, Queen Timinipere Dakolo, the Igirigi 1 of Ekpetiama Kingdom in her remarks, said Okolode festival is yearly and signifies peace and unity. She said the festival brings the people of the Kingdom together every year.
“Okolode festival signifies peace and unity. Every year, we come together as a clan and as a people, to celebrate the new yam festival”.
She expressed hope that technology will not destroy the festival in future.
“We pray that the next generation will take over from us. With technology and everything, it will be difficult but we encourage them to live on the legacy of the elderly ones or the tradition of our people”.
King Confers Traditional Titles On Deserving Sons
The festival was not just for yam bites, singing, dancing and speeches. Recognition also came the way of some deserving members of the kingdom.
King Dakolo used this year’s new yam festival celebration to bestow on Osomkime Edwin Blankson, the chieftaincy title of Ekpetiama Ibetariowei while Ebiegberi Otobo was honoured with the title of Ekpetiama Kenisuomein Dou Owei.
As far as the world still exists, traditions in some quarters will never case. As it is Africa, that is how it is in most parts of the world as so many countries are still celebrating their cultural heritages even though Christianity has made some Africans to feel that the celebration of tradition and culture is a sin.