*Chief Priest, Worshippers Perform Traditional River Rites, Seek Prosperity and Protection for Community
The ancient Opugula deity has returned to its ancestral home in Ikibiri Community, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, following a series of traditional rites and sacrifices led by its newly installed Chief Priest, Chief George Ogboro, Kariowei I.
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According to local history, the Opugula deity left its native Ikibiri community many years ago following the death of its immediate past Chief Priest. With no member of the priesthood family willing to take up the responsibility, amid the spread of Christianity in the community, the deity’s worship was discontinued.
Chief George Ogboro, Kariowei I, subsequently took up the mantle of Chief Priest and began efforts to restore the worship of Opugula.
In August 2025, a new shrine was built for the return of the deity. The homecoming was marked by sacrifices and a pledge to establish Opugula firmly in its ancestral domain, in keeping with the traditions of the forefathers.
August 12, 2026, was therefore set aside for further sacrifices and a traditional feast for Opugula at the “Opugula Asa”, a designated area along the River Nun, opposite the famous Owunanaowei Lake. The name Owunanaowei literally translates as “Lake of the Deity”, and the site is traditionally believed to be the physical abode of Opugula.
EMTV News accompanied the Chief Priest, two priestesses, worshippers from other communities and other adherents to the river to document the ancient religious activities marking the return and settlement of the Opugula deity in Ikibiri.
As he boarded an awaiting outboard-powered boat, Chief George Ogboro called on High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, and other traditional deity worshippers to join him in blessing the sacrifices offered to Opugula.
The Chief Priest said:
“My name is George Ogboro, Chief Priest of Opugula deity. We’re about going into the river to offer food and drinks to Opugula. So, I’m inviting all Chief Priests of great deities in the Niger Delta to join us as we present our feast to Opugula and worship on the river, and return to the shrine with us.”
He added:
“Tompolo is one Chief Priest we are calling to come with us. And also Joshua MacIver, Egbegi-ala… everyone should come with us to the river and see how we feed Opugula and return with us to celebrate till the end.”
Following incantations and libations to Opugula for a peaceful journey, the boat sailed northward along the River Nun towards the location believed to be the deity’s abode.
Along the route, brief stopovers were made to pay homage to Egbegi-ala, whose shrine is located on the northern flank of the community. Incantations and libations were also performed at the site.
On arrival at Opugula Asa, also known as Owunanaowei Asa, the Chief Priest told EMTV News:
“We’re going to perform some sacrifices on this road leading to Owunanaowei Lake before coming down to proceed into the river.”
One of the priestesses subsequently performed incantations and offered food and drinks as sacrifices to Opugula. The rite was performed at the entrance to the road leading to the revered Owunanaowei Lake.
While scattering specially prepared food items in different directions along the road, the priestess prayed for prosperity, long life and protection for the community.
“We pray for financial prosperity and long life. We pray for the protection of Ikibiri Community and the land of Ogbo. All we seek is goodness, children, money and long life. If we’re travelling and there is danger ahead, show us a sign of heaviness in our body so we’ll not go out until such danger has gone from our way. And may we travel and return safely back home.”
The coordinating priest then offered glasses of gin, saying:
“We have served your food. Here’s your drink. Take, take and drink. And give us money, long life. Empower your Chief Priest.”
The Chief Priest also offered prayers, saying:
“Opugula, Opugula, Opugula… this is the point where everybody passes through to harvest your lake. We have come here to do your work. Now bless everybody with money, children and long life.
“What I want is for everybody to live their full life to old age before dying, and then let someone else from the family rise to worship you. Now bless everyone.”
From there, the boat moved onto the river, where assorted food and drinks were offered into the water as part of the traditional feast for the deity.
During the river ceremony, the Chief Priest dipped food items placed in enamel saucers into the water while invoking Opugula.
He said:
“Opugula, Opugula, Opugula, yesterday we pleaded with you. Today we have brought your food as promised. We’re pleading that you bless everyone, bless your Chief Priest. We need money, children and long life. Eat your food and give us peace.”
Taking another plate of food, he added:
“Yesterday we promised you. Today your food is here. Take it, eat and bless us with prosperity.”
The traditional ceremony also involved the presentation of a live white cock. The coordinating priest raised the bird above the head of the Chief Priest, dipped it into the river three times and placed it on the Chief Priest’s head.
The heart of the fowl was subsequently removed and offered to Opugula, while bottles of schnapps and soft drinks were also poured or thrown into the river as part of the traditional offering.
Various food items were also presented as offerings to Opugula and the ancestral children associated with the deity.
On returning to the shrine, the Chief Priest was crowned with a red cap and led in a procession through the community, signifying the completion of the homecoming sacrifices and the formal settlement of Opugula in its ancestral abode.
Speaking to EMTV News about the ceremony, an adherent and Chief Priest of Forubie Asain, Moonlight London, said he accompanied the Chief Priest to the river and participated in the rites.
He said:
“My name is Moonlight. I went out and returned with the Chief Priest and did everything for him as expected.
“Presently in Ikibiri, this Chief Priest is suffering in poverty. So tell Tompolo or others who may be concerned. As for me, I do my work from home. So the day they land in this community, then they’ll know me as a traditional worshipper and other adherents of Opugula in Ikibiri Community.
“So this Tompolo, Tompolo, we’ve heard his name for so long. Let him come to Ikibiri and bless the Chief Priest of Opugula, and bless me too, as well as the wider community. The Chief Priest of Opugula is calling on him. Opugula is calling you. He has worn his cap and is now settled in his abode. Let Tompolo come. I’ll not say more than this.”
Also speaking, Chief George Ogboro, Kariowei I, said the ceremony marked the completion of the rites for the restoration of Opugula’s worship.
He said:
“We have gone out to serve Opugula with food and come back. We have done everything; nothing is left out. The worship of Opugula is now normal.
“All traditional deity worshippers in the area accompanied me to worship Opugula on the river, and we all returned safely. Even those who could not go with us were there in spirit.
“So, let everybody come together and work with me in unity, so that in the coming year we can do this again, and I should be blessed by everyone. That’s what I’m looking for. Bless the community too; that’s all I want.”
The Opugula deity is traditionally associated with the protection of the people of Ikibiri from epidemics and foreign invasions, as well as helping the community prevail during wars and inter-village conflicts in the era of the ancestors.
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