Amaseikumor Festival 2026: Gbaraun Egbesu Worship Marks Day Two in Delta’s Gbaramatu Kingdom

By Ezekiel Kagbala

OPOROZA, Delta State — The ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State on Tuesday entered the second day of the Amaseikumor Festival 2026, with a focus on the traditional worship of Gbaraun Egbesu, a revered spiritual institution among the Ijaw people.

The week-long cultural festival, which began on April 6 and is scheduled to end on April 11, is one of the most significant annual events in the kingdom. It opened with what organizers describe as the “longest procession of Ijaw warriors,” drawing participants and observers from within and beyond the Niger Delta region.

Day two activities were held at the holy temple in Oporoza, the traditional headquarters of the Gbaramatu Kingdom. Central to the day’s observance is the veneration of Gbaraun Egbesu—regarded locally as a supreme deity under the Most High God—personified in the spiritual figure known as Agadagba.

The ritual, rooted in what adherents call the Woyein religion, is widely associated with themes of purification and moral renewal. Participants are required to undergo a period of spiritual preparation, including abstinence from acts considered impure, before taking part in the ceremonies.

Tuesday’s rites featured chants of praise, symbolic confessions, and appearances by traditional masquerades. Worshippers, dressed predominantly in white garments, signifying purity, gathered in large numbers to partake in the sacred observances.

Cultural custodians say the Gbaraun Egbesu worship remains a cornerstone of the Amaseikumor Festival, reflecting the enduring spiritual traditions of the Ijaw people and reinforcing communal values.

The festival is expected to continue with a series of cultural displays, rituals, and communal activities in the coming days, further highlighting the rich heritage of the Gbaramatu Kingdom.