The Umale Festival Of The Ilaje And Itsekiri People
As part of my agenda in exposing the culture of my people(Ilaje ,
Urhobo, Itsekiri, Ijo e.tc) to the world, today we will be discussing
about The Umale festival of the Itsekiri and Ilaje people. Its no longer
news that the Ilaje share so many things with The Itsekiri nation, Be
it language, Culture, Monarchy e.tc as such I do classify The Ilaje as
an Itsekiri Offspring (Disputable) 
.. Here we go..
Umale Okere - Itsekiri
People living in the ancient town of Warri often looked with nostalgia to the season of Awankere, also called Umale Okere, an annual masquerade festival with epicentre of the celebration at Okere main square. It’s a mix of culture, tradition, dancing and humour. Umale Okere is virtually the most popular Itsekiri festival in Warri with so much social fun and excitement, attracting indigenes and non-indigenes alike beyond ethnic divide. Visitors and residents of Warri, including eminent personalities from all walks of life converge at Okere to watch the festival.
People – young and old, including children, line up on both sides of the expansive Okere Road from Esisi junction to the centre point, a massive crowd, jostling curiously to catch a glimpse of the masquerades, men and women dancing to the traditional drum beats with amidst sexy, obscene remarks by women and tantalizing songs, emotional and romantic.
The elegance and beauty of the festival, graced by the masquerades in attires almost akin to the costume and apparels worn by Eyo masquerades in Lagos during Adamorisha festival are amazing.
The origin of Umale Okere festival dates back to pre- independence years in the era of British colonialism. It emanated from Ekpen family, owners of Okere that married a woman called Diden who hailed from the neighbouring Ekurede, the place where the palace of the Olu of Warri is located. An Ekurede woman married to Ekpen family of Okere. The masquerades are customary acknowledgement of the marital ties between the two.
The leader of the masquerades is called Öshogwa Umale”with several bodyguards while the others filed out in a single line for seven market days of Okere till the last day. At the rear of the masquerades is “Okwooye”, wearing a big hat and holding a whip, dressed in baggy attire touching the ground due to oversize.
The mother of them all, referred to as Queen, is called “Eleghe”, very gentle, majestic and moves in measured steps, walking on red carpet. It is rarely seen in public – once in 50 years. Many people see Eleghe only once in their life time. Its public appearance is now reduced to 25 years.
According to Erikowa who lived in Ekurede, since 1956, Eleghe came out twice. For the masquerades, after their appearance on the seventh market day, they go back to the shrine known as “Ekun”, opening their faces on the way.
Women come out to seek their blessings and favour for children, to strike out failures and curses from their lives, to seek success in life. On the last day also, everyone comes to appeal to the Umales as they return to the shrine to cast away their misfortunes and problems, bring prosperity, give them long life, take away sickness, troubles and not to have afflictions in life again.
Umale Festival - Ilaje People
UMALE Aju is the anscestral masked dancer of the Jomoyetoyo royal family of [ Odojomo, Igbotako, Osooro] Ilaje, Ondo State in Nigeria. The dancers represent anscestral spirit, the costumes are carved headress in the shape of water fowls or masks with colorfull fabrics covering the body.
They dance to choreographed drum rhythms and dance steps. The festival is usually celebrated around Christmas time every 7 years. Many members of the family return home to celebrate the ways of our anscestors.
.. Here we go..Umale Okere - Itsekiri
People living in the ancient town of Warri often looked with nostalgia to the season of Awankere, also called Umale Okere, an annual masquerade festival with epicentre of the celebration at Okere main square. It’s a mix of culture, tradition, dancing and humour. Umale Okere is virtually the most popular Itsekiri festival in Warri with so much social fun and excitement, attracting indigenes and non-indigenes alike beyond ethnic divide. Visitors and residents of Warri, including eminent personalities from all walks of life converge at Okere to watch the festival.
People – young and old, including children, line up on both sides of the expansive Okere Road from Esisi junction to the centre point, a massive crowd, jostling curiously to catch a glimpse of the masquerades, men and women dancing to the traditional drum beats with amidst sexy, obscene remarks by women and tantalizing songs, emotional and romantic.
The elegance and beauty of the festival, graced by the masquerades in attires almost akin to the costume and apparels worn by Eyo masquerades in Lagos during Adamorisha festival are amazing.
The origin of Umale Okere festival dates back to pre- independence years in the era of British colonialism. It emanated from Ekpen family, owners of Okere that married a woman called Diden who hailed from the neighbouring Ekurede, the place where the palace of the Olu of Warri is located. An Ekurede woman married to Ekpen family of Okere. The masquerades are customary acknowledgement of the marital ties between the two.
The leader of the masquerades is called Öshogwa Umale”with several bodyguards while the others filed out in a single line for seven market days of Okere till the last day. At the rear of the masquerades is “Okwooye”, wearing a big hat and holding a whip, dressed in baggy attire touching the ground due to oversize.
The mother of them all, referred to as Queen, is called “Eleghe”, very gentle, majestic and moves in measured steps, walking on red carpet. It is rarely seen in public – once in 50 years. Many people see Eleghe only once in their life time. Its public appearance is now reduced to 25 years.
According to Erikowa who lived in Ekurede, since 1956, Eleghe came out twice. For the masquerades, after their appearance on the seventh market day, they go back to the shrine known as “Ekun”, opening their faces on the way.
Women come out to seek their blessings and favour for children, to strike out failures and curses from their lives, to seek success in life. On the last day also, everyone comes to appeal to the Umales as they return to the shrine to cast away their misfortunes and problems, bring prosperity, give them long life, take away sickness, troubles and not to have afflictions in life again.
Umale Festival - Ilaje People
UMALE Aju is the anscestral masked dancer of the Jomoyetoyo royal family of [ Odojomo, Igbotako, Osooro] Ilaje, Ondo State in Nigeria. The dancers represent anscestral spirit, the costumes are carved headress in the shape of water fowls or masks with colorfull fabrics covering the body.
They dance to choreographed drum rhythms and dance steps. The festival is usually celebrated around Christmas time every 7 years. Many members of the family return home to celebrate the ways of our anscestors.
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