The historic town of Oghara, located in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State, came alive on Tuesday, 17 December 2025, as indigenes and visitors gathered to witness the annual Oghareki Oghara Festival, a cultural event deeply rooted in the traditions and ancestral history of the Oghara Kingdom.
The festival, which is one of the most significant cultural observances in the community, featured a vibrant public procession marked by traditional rites, chants, symbolic artifacts, and ancestral representations. Participants, many adorned in traditional attire and cultural markings, moved through major streets of Oghara in a display that reflected the spiritual and historical essence of the festival.
At the center of the celebration were symbolic figures and cultural custodians who played key roles in preserving and reenacting ancient traditions passed down through generations. The festival is traditionally associated with ancestral reverence, purification, and the reaffirmation of communal identity, serving as a reminder of the people’s connection to their roots.
Residents described the Oghareki Festival as more than a celebration, noting that it represents a time of renewal, unity, and cultural continuity for the Oghara people. Elders of the community emphasized the importance of maintaining such festivals as a way of educating younger generations and safeguarding indigenous customs in the face of modernization.
The 2025 edition attracted large crowds, with community members, cultural enthusiasts, and observers capturing moments from the procession and ceremonies. The presence of photographers and videographers highlighted the growing interest in documenting and preserving local traditions for wider audiences.
The Oghareki Oghara Festival continues to stand as a symbol of cultural pride and ancestral legacy, reinforcing Oghara’s place as a community deeply committed to the preservation of its heritage.
Photos from the festival are courtesy of TMY Empire.
