Opobo Nwaotam Festival: A Vibrant Festival in Opobo, Rivers State, Nigeria.
The Nwaotam Festival in Opobo kingdom, Rivers State, Nigeria is a colorful and culturally rich event that highlights the distinctive customs and history of the Opobo people. Deeply ingrained in the community’s history, this festival is an important occasion that unites residents and guests to appreciate the beauty of Opobo’s cultural legacy. The festival is deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of the Ibani people but its influence extends to other regions where the Ibani people and their traditions have spread. Celebrations of the Nwaotam can also be found in communities such as Bonny, Andoni, Egwanga, Aba, Lagos, and Port Harcourt. In these areas, the festival is typically celebrated annually on the 25th of December, except when it falls on a Sunday.

Opobo Kingdom
Opobo Town is located in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area in Rivers State, Nigeria and it is the capital of the LGA. Opobo/Nkoro LGA is part of the Andoni/Gokana/Khana/Oyigbo/Tai/Eleme constituency region in Rivers State. Opobo Kingdom is made up of 67 War Canoe Houses that are grouped into 14 sections also known as “polos”. The Fourteen sections are Adibie, Biriye, Diepiri, Dapu, Dappa Ye Amakiri, Epelle and Fubarakworo. Others are Iroanya, Jaja, Kala-omuso, Okonu-wariapu, Kiepirima, Owujie and Tolofari. More than 30 communities constitute Opobo Kingdom, they include, Opobo Town which is the traditional headquarters of Opobo Kingdom, Queens Town, Ayaminima, Oloma, Epellema, Ekereborikiri, Iwo-ama Atoki, Cornelius Village, Minima, Kalasunju, Kalaibiama Abasibie, Okpukpo and others. Kampa, Opukalama, Amadiari, Apiafi Village, Cookey Village, Fibiri, and others are Opobo communities in Akwa Ibom State.

History of the Ibani People of Bonny and Opobo Kingdom
The Kingdom of Bonny is situated to the east of Opobo. The Ibani people’s history is intertwined with the founding of Opobo Town by Jubo Jubogha, the King Jaja of Opobo. The founder of Opubo-ama, or Opobo Kingdom, Jubo Jubogha, was formerly a captive slave who came from the Umuduruoha village in Amaigbo in Nwagele local government area in present-day Imo State. He migrated to Opobo in 1870 as a result of a civil war that broke out in Bonny between his supporters and those of Chief Oko Jumbo, the head of the rival Manilla Pepple chieftaincy family. King Jaja of Opobo would subsequently ascend from slavery to become the leader of the Opubo Anna Pepple chieftaincy house of Bonny. The region was name after Amanyanabo Opubo “Pepple” Perekule the Great, a Pepple king in Bonny who had ruled the kingdom around 1792 to 1830.
The Ibani people are a subgroup of the Ijaw ethnic group, residing in the Bonny and Opobo areas of Rivers State, Nigeria, along the Atlantic coast. Bonny Town, located on the Bight of Bonny River, serves as the tribal seat of the Ibani. The Ibani language is predominantly spoken by the residents of both Bonny and Opobo.
Historically, Bonny’s development was significantly influenced by its interaction with European traders. From the 16th century onwards, the Kingdom of Bonny emerged as a major trading center. Initially, it was a hub for the transatlantic slave trade. Following the abolition of slavery, the Ibani people became well-known for the exportation of palm oil and palm kernel, commodities that continued to shape the region’s economy and global interactions. The indigenes of the Bonny and Opobo kingdoms are collectively known as the Ibani people. Their shared language and cultural practices unify these communities, emphasizing their deep historical connections and cultural heritage. The Ibani language remains widely spoken and serves as a crucial element of their cultural identity, preserving the traditions and history of the Ibani people for future generations.

Origins of the Nwaotam Festival
The Nwaotam Festival in Opobo Kingdom, Nigeria, has its origins among the Ndoki people of present-day Abia State. Historical traditions suggest that the Ndoki people had long-standing interactions with the Ibani people of Bonny and Opobo. It is believed that the Ndoki were originally migrants from Ijaw, similar to the founding figures of Bonny.
The Nwaotam masquerade’s roots can be traced to the ancient deity worshipped by the Ndoki people, known as the Ottam. This cult was deeply entrenched in the spiritual practices of the Ottam tribe, who were known for their distinctive physical markings and rituals. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Ottam were introduced to Bonny as part of the European slave trade, where they were described as robust individuals with notable tribal marks. The Nwaotam masquerade evolved from these ancient worship practices. Originally emerging from a mythical grove in Mkpajekiri near Ohambele Ndoki, the Nwaotam cult developed as the local deity, representing the spirits worshipped by the Ottam. The masquerade was integrated into Opobo culture when the Opobo people, under the leadership of Captain Uranta and with the assistance of King Arthur Mac Pepple, transported the original totem — a mummified Nwa-Ottam head — from Azumini to Imo River, and eventually to Queens Town by 1920.
This transformation marked the beginning of the Nwaotam Festival as a significant cultural event in Opobo, symbolizing the blend of traditional spirituality and community celebration.

The 2023 Nwaotam Festival
The 2023 Nwaotam Festival in Opobo was held between 24th to 25th of December, 2023. According to historic sources, the festival commemorates the establishment of the Opobo Kingdom on January 1, 1870.
Pre-Festival Rituals
In the days leading up to the festival, members of the Nwaotam masquerade groups, known as Ntuma in Queens Town and Mkpa in Opobo Town, engage in a period of spiritual preparation. They spend seven days in the cemetery or in the forest, paying homage to the ancestors (Ndi Itchie) and fortifying themselves with spiritual power. During this time, they adhere to a strict diet, consuming only yam, corn, or plantain prepared by themselves, avoiding food prepared by women. This ritual underscores the importance of purity and respect for ancestral spirits.
Festival Activities
Nwaotam Festival is marked by a series of colorful and significant activities: This includes, Masquerade display, cultural performances and colorful boat regattas. Before the festival begins, tribal groups spend the night at sea, engaging in prayers and rituals to ward off evil forces. This nocturnal vigil at the seashore is a preparatory act that sets the stage for the masquerade’s entrance.
The festival officially starts with a procession along the seashore, marking the beginning of the celebrations. The masquerade’s performance is structured around age-grade groups, each contributing to the festive atmosphere with their unique traditions and rituals.

Masquerade Display: The Nwaotam masquerade is the focal point of the festival, known for its dramatic appearance and unique performance. Unlike other masquerades, the Nwaotam performs atop roofs, never touching the ground. This practice symbolizes a connection to the divine and the spiritual protection it is believed to bring to the town.
The Nwaotam Masquerade is adorned in a striking black and white outfit, which is rich in symbolism. The black and white colors represent the duality of existence — good and evil, light and darkness. This attire helps the masquerade embody the balance and harmony between these opposing forces. The masquerade’s outfit is further embellished with raffia fronds, which are crucial to its appearance. The raffia, often used in traditional African dress, adds texture and volume to the masquerade’s ensemble. The fronds create a dramatic, flowing effect that enhances the masquerade’s mystique and visual impact.
Cultural Performances: The festival features a variety of cultural performances including traditional music, dance, and drama. The Nwaotam masquerade, with its powerful gaze and symbolic props, performs intricate dances that reflect the community’s spiritual beliefs and cultural values.

Boat Regattas: Also known as the Iye-Eke Water Display, boat regattas with long boat like canoes with more than 40 paddlers featured in the celebration. The boats have paddlers wearing green, red and other colors chanting songs while beating their drums as they paddle the boats. This is part of the culture of the people of Opobo, in reference to 67 War Canoe Houses that made up the Opobo Kingdom.
Symbolic Rituals
There are rituals that are symbolic and unique to the Nwaotam masquerade that are quite significant, they include the use of the receptacle and the brooms, fertilized eggs and the Ebigh.
The Receptacle and the Broom: The Nwaotam masquerade holds a receptacle (Agboh Nwaotam) and a broom (Sunju). The receptacle symbolizes receptiveness and blessings, while the broom represents purification, defense of righteousness, and the elimination of evil.
The Eggs: Fertilized eggs are used in rituals for purification and protection. They symbolize life and are central to the masquerade’s spiritual practices.
The Ebigh: This symbol of spiritual authority commands respect and silence among the participants. The bearer of the Ebigh directs the movements of the Nwaotam masquerade, ensuring the festival’s adherence to traditional laws.
The festival culminates in a grand finale where the Nwaotam masquerade performs a final dance, symbolizing the departure of the ancestral spirits. This is followed by a communal feast where traditional dishes are shared, reinforcing the sense of community and togetherness. The symbolic gestures of the Nwaotam, such as the use of eggs for purification and the sound of the Ebigh for discipline and authority, further enhance the festival’s spiritual and cultural significance.

Community and Cultural Impact
Families return to Opobo from various locations, including other parts of Nigeria and the diaspora, to participate in the festival. The event has evolved from a local tradition into a grand carnival-like celebration that attracts visitors and engages the community in a vibrant display of cultural heritage.
The festival also serves as a reminder of the identity and legacy of the Opobo people. It promotes communal cohesion and pride while acting as a reminder of the value of maintaining cultural customs. It provides tourists with a singular window into Opobo Town’s vibrant cultural fabric and the ongoing legacy of its residents.