OKERE AND HER PEOPLE WITH AN OUTSTANDING CULTURE

Naijalens Photography

Okere which means, it is small” in Itsekiri language, is an Itsekiri indigenous community and it is the oldest in modern day Warri metropolis having been found about 1497 by a Benin war general, Ekpenede, (Ekpen for short) and sent after Prince Ginuwa’s entourage. They had not been privy to the Oba’s plot to have his son, Ognuwa, found a new Kingdom, (what is known today as Warri Kingdom)

Naijalens Photography

Encamped across the Uton Tuba, with the Warri river between them and their quarry, and with no means to cross over to ijala, Ekpen was compelled to end his chase and settle further upland at the place christened “Okere” in reference
He is said to have planted his staff at the center of the settlement with the invocation “Ogungbaja Okere” (literally meaning that war will never come to Okere)

This new staff grew into the tree which stands proudly by the Okere market junction today as a major historical landmark. Another tree, Arimabo – meaning one who sees and exposes what is seen, was planted after Ogungbaja Okere Odola and it’s still today at the centre of the Okere Market roundabout. Okere comprises six idimi’s : ogun, Obite Idimi Ode-lle

Naijalens Photography
Ajamimogha and Idimi Sobo (Urhobo Quartere) which is the most recent, having come into existence on the arrival of some Urhobo immigrants about 1778 and were allowed to settle there by the reigning Town Head (Olare Aja), Ogieboro Arukuneyi, Today due to the unhealthy stoning of the embers of ethnicity, Idimi Sobo now calls itself “Okere Urhobo Clan”.

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