Owu-Aru-Sun Festival
Owu-Aru-Sun Festival is a two-day masquerade festival celebrated by the Kalabari people of Nigeria. The festival was first celebrated by Ekine Sekiapu under the leadership of the Opu Edi in Buguma City in 1908, 1927, 1973 and 1991.[1][2]
On the first day of the Owu-Aru-Sun Festival, the heads of chief meet, perform sacrifices for protection, and opportunities are given for the asking of favours and protection. This day is referred to as the festival eve.
On the second day, masquerades are showcased by different groups. Later in the day, the masquerades proceed to the town hall where they are greeted by the chief drummer (Akwa Alabo). Each masquerade is then displayed. Once this is completed, a libation to mark the end of the masquerades is performed by the patron goddess of the masquerades (Ekine Alabo) with a bottle of gin and a glass. The Ekine Alabo asks for journey mercies back to the spirit world and assurance of their return at the next festival.[3][4]
References
- ↑ "THE OWU-ARU-SUN FESTIVAL OF THE KALABARI KINGDOM IN RIVERS STATE OF NIGERIA – ALL THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT IT". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
- ↑ Nwaobi, Confidence (2024-10-31). "Top 5 Festivals in Rivers State and Their Origins". Rex Clarke Adventures. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
- ↑ tope_litcaf (2024-04-25). "Owu-Aru Sun festival". Modupe Apoola Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
- ↑ Aduks Digital Productions ; directed by Aduko Paul ; script writer, Ikiemoye Iniamagha ; producer, Aduko Paul (2009). The Kalabari people and the Owu Aru Sun Festival. Diobu, Port Harcourt : Aduks Digital Studios, [2009] ©2009. Retrieved 2025-03-18 – via University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries Catalog.
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