The Urhobos are a people located in southern
Nigeria
Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean to the south. It covers an area of . With Demographics of Nigeria, ...
,
near the northwestern
Niger Delta
The Niger Delta is the delta of the Niger River sitting directly on the Gulf of Guinea on the Atlantic Ocean in Nigeria. It is located within nine coastal southern Nigerian states, which include: all six states from the South South geopolitic ...
. They are the major ethnic group in
Delta State
Delta is a States of Nigeria, state in the South South (Nigeria), South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Named after the Niger Delta—a large part of which is in the state—the state was formed from the former Bendel State, on 27 August 1 ...
. The people of this ethnic group speak the
Urhobo language.
Their population is approximately 7 million.
The Urhobo people live in a territory bounded by
latitude
In geography, latitude is a geographic coordinate system, geographic coordinate that specifies the north-south position of a point on the surface of the Earth or another celestial body. Latitude is given as an angle that ranges from −90° at t ...
s 6° and 5°, 15° North and Longitudes 5°, 40° and 6°, 25° East in the
Delta
Delta commonly refers to:
* Delta (letter) (Δ or δ), the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet
* D (NATO phonetic alphabet: "Delta"), the fourth letter in the Latin alphabet
* River delta, at a river mouth
* Delta Air Lines, a major US carrier ...
and
Bayelsa State
Bayelsa is a state in the South South region of Nigeria, located in the core of the Niger Delta. Bayelsa State was created in 1996 and was carved out from Rivers State, making it one of the newest states in the federation. The capital, Yenag ...
s of Nigeria. Their neighbors are the
Isoko to the southeast, the
Itsekiri
The Itsekiri (also called the Isekiri, ''iJekri'', ''Itsekri'', ''Ishekiri'', or Itsekhiri) are an ethnic group who mainly inhabit Nigeria's Niger Delta area. They speak a Yoruboid languages, Yoruboid language and can be found in Ondo State, Ondo ...
and
Ijaw to the west, the
Edo people
The Edo people, also referred to as the Benin City, Benin people, are an Edoid languages, Edoid-speaking Ethnicity, ethnic group. They are prominently native to seven Edo South Senatorial District, southern Local government areas of Nigeria, loc ...
to the north, the Ijaw to the south and the
Ukwuani people to the northeast.
History
The
Ughelli
Ughelli is a town in Delta State, Nigeria, and one of the 24 kingdoms that make up the Urhobo people, Urhobo Nation. It also serves as the headquarters of Ughelli North local government area of Delta State. The city is indigenous to the Urhobo ...
and
Agbon Kingdoms are the oldest kingdoms in Urhobo land. The Ughelli and Agbor Kingdoms can be traced to about the 14th century.
Ughelli
Ughelli is a town in Delta State, Nigeria, and one of the 24 kingdoms that make up the Urhobo people, Urhobo Nation. It also serves as the headquarters of Ughelli North local government area of Delta State. The city is indigenous to the Urhobo ...
oral tradition has it that the great ancestor and founding father of Ughelli (Ughene) was the second son of Oghwoghwa, a prince from Benin Kingdom. The Okpe Kingdom is also one of the twenty four kingdoms in Urhobo land.
The Kingdom has been in existence before the arrival of the Portuguese in the 15th century. The Okpe Kingdom was established formally in the 17th century. The Okpe people are known to have migrated to found the present day
Sapele and the Orodje of Okpe still exercises authority over the land of Sapele.
Indigenous government and politics
The people are organized either by elders or by the wealthy.
Urhobo
indigenous governments have an ''Ovie'' (king), who is the highest political figure. The Ovie is the symbol of the kingdoms' culture and royal predecessors. His Councillors consist of the ''Otota'' (speaker), and the ''Ohonvwore'' or ''Okakuro'', addressed collectively as ''Ilorogun'' (singular: ''Olorogun''). Other title holders are the executioners (''Ikoikpokpo''), and the warriors (''Ogbu''). Other political titles are specific to the different kingdoms. The
judicial system places a clear distinction between civil and criminal offenses.
The queen is called ''Ovieya'', and her children are known as ''Ọmọ Ovie''. Presently, this name is given to children without royal heritage. Some Urhobo cultural divisions adopted titles other than Ovie. For example, the
Okpe call their traditional ruler ''Orodje'',
Okere-Urhobo call theirs ''Orosuen'',
Agbarho uses ''Osuivie'', Orogun use ''Okpara-Uku''" (mainly due to their proximity with
Ukwuani people), and the Urhobos in the
Olomu Kingdom call their king ''Ohworode''. Some southern Urhobo clans and communities also practice the Odio system, which is widespread in the
Isoko region.
Location

Urhobo territory consists of evergreen forests with many oil palm trees. The territory is covered by a network of streams, whose volume and flow are directly affected by the seasons. The
wet season
The wet season (sometimes called the rainy season or monsoon season) is the time of year when most of a region's average annual rainfall occurs. Generally, the season lasts at least one month. The term ''green season'' is also sometimes used a ...
is traditionally from April to October, while the
dry season
The dry season is a yearly period of low rainfall, especially in the tropics. The weather in the tropics is dominated by the tropical rain belt, which moves from the northern to the southern tropics and back over the course of the year. The t ...
ranges from November to March.
Urhobo is geographically located within the Atlantic forest belt that spans from Senegal to Angola in Africa. Before the arrival of the Portuguese in the late 15th century, this area was known for its untouched and pristine environment, where the forest peoples lived without outside influences and developed their own forms of civilization.
The majority of the Urhobo people reside in the southwestern states of Delta and Bayelsa in Nigeria, collectively known as the Niger Delta. Ofoni is an Urhobo community located in the Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. It is approximately 40 kilometers by water from Sagbama.
Many Urhobos inhabit both small and major cities across regions and local government areas, including Ughelli, Warri, Abraka, Orerokpe, and Sapele. Notable Urhobo towns and cities include Effurun, Aladja, Ovwian, Orerokpe, Eku, Oghara, Evwreni, Agbara-Otor, Okpara Inland, Egini, Kokori, Olomu, Kiagbodo, Isiokoro, Jesse, Ogharaefe, Effurun-Otor, Ewu, Jeremi, Emadadja, Okwagbe, Ovu, Orogun, Otor-Udu, Ekpan, Jeddo, Uwheru, and Orhuwhorun, among others.
The following are local government areas where Urhobo traditional homes are located in
Delta
Delta commonly refers to:
* Delta (letter) (Δ or δ), the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet
* D (NATO phonetic alphabet: "Delta"), the fourth letter in the Latin alphabet
* River delta, at a river mouth
* Delta Air Lines, a major US carrier ...
,
Bayelsa and
Edo State
Edo State, Edo, officially known as Edo State, is a States of Nigeria, state in the South South, South-South Geopolitical zones of Nigeria, geopolitical zone of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. As of 2024, the state was ranked as the List of Ni ...
:
*
Ethiope East
*
Ethiope West
*
Okpe
*
Sapele
*
Udu
*
Ughelli North
*
Isoko
*
Ughelli South
*
Uvwie
*
Warri South
*
Patani
*
Sagbama (in
Bayelsa State
Bayelsa is a state in the South South region of Nigeria, located in the core of the Niger Delta. Bayelsa State was created in 1996 and was carved out from Rivers State, making it one of the newest states in the federation. The capital, Yenag ...
)
*
Ikpoba Okha (in
Edo State
Edo State, Edo, officially known as Edo State, is a States of Nigeria, state in the South South, South-South Geopolitical zones of Nigeria, geopolitical zone of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. As of 2024, the state was ranked as the List of Ni ...
)
*
Orhionmwon (in
Edo state
Edo State, Edo, officially known as Edo State, is a States of Nigeria, state in the South South, South-South Geopolitical zones of Nigeria, geopolitical zone of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. As of 2024, the state was ranked as the List of Ni ...
))
Urhobos also have large settlements in Ore,
Owo and
Okitipupa in
Ondo State
Ondo () is a States of Nigeria, state in Points of the compass, southwestern Nigeria. It was created on 3 February 1976 from the former Western State (Nigeria), Western State. Ondo borders Ekiti State to the north, Kogi State to the northeast fo ...
,
Ajegunle and other places in
Lagos State
Lagos State (, ) is a States of Nigeria, state in South West, Nigeria. Of the 36 States of Nigeria, Nigerian states, Lagos is the second List of Nigerian states by population, most populous state but the List of Nigerian states by area, smallest ...
, Oro in
Kwara State
Kwara () is a state in Western Nigeria, bordered to the east by Kogi State, to the north by Niger State, and to the south by Ekiti, Osun, and Oyo states, while its western border makes up part of the international border with Benin. Its ca ...
, as well as other clusters across
Nigeria
Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean to the south. It covers an area of . With Demographics of Nigeria, ...
.
Culture
Okpako Orere
Based on
gerontocracy
A gerontocracy is a form of rule in which an entity is ruled by leaders who are substantially older than most of the adult population.
In many political structures, power within the ruling class accumulates with age, making the oldest individu ...
, the Urhobos are governed by the eldest man in each Urhobo community locally known as the "Okpako Orere".
The Okpako Orere is the eldest surviving male in each Urhobo community, who is also considered as the indigenous political head of the community.
He is called Okpako Ewo by Isoko-speaking clans, and he is also referred to as Okaroro by Urhobo-speaking clans.
His position is succeeded to on the basis of gerontocracy when he dies, and the next most senior elder of the community takes his office.
Festivals
The Urhobos live very close to, and sometimes in boats on the
Niger river
The Niger River ( ; ) is the main river of West Africa, extending about . Its drainage basin is in area. Its source is in the Guinea Highlands in south-eastern Guinea near the Sierra Leone border. It runs in a crescent shape through Mali, Nige ...
. Most of their histories, mythologies, and philosophies are water-related. Annual fishing festivals include masquerades, fishing, swimming contests, and dancing, and have become part of the
Urhobo heritage. An annual two-day festival called Ohworu takes place in
vwreni in the southern part of the Urhobo area. During this festival the Ohworhu water spirit and the Eravwe Oganga are displayed.
Marriage
Marriage in Urhobo culture requires prayers to the ancestors (''Erivwin''), and God (''Oghene''). The marriage
ritual
A ritual is a repeated, structured sequence of actions or behaviors that alters the internal or external state of an individual, group, or environment, regardless of conscious understanding, emotional context, or symbolic meaning. Traditionally ...
, known as ''Udi Arhovwaje,'' takes place in the
ancestral home of the bride or a patrilineal relation of the bride.
The groom goes with his relatives and friends to the bride's father's home, bringing gifts of drinks, salt, kola nuts and occasionally
food
Food is any substance consumed by an organism for Nutrient, nutritional support. Food is usually of plant, animal, or Fungus, fungal origin and contains essential nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, protein (nutrient), proteins, vitamins, ...
requested by the bride's family. Formal approval for marriage is given by the bride's parents, or whoever is representing the bride's family, as are the traditional rites of pouring
gin, brought by the groom, as a
tribute
A tribute (; from Latin ''tributum'', "contribution") is wealth, often in kind, that a party gives to another as a sign of submission, allegiance or respect. Various ancient states exacted tribute from the rulers of lands which the state con ...
to the father's ancestors in order to bless them with health, children and wealth. After this marriage rite the husband can claim a refund of the money (bride price) should the marriage fail. It is believed that the ancestors witness the marriage, and only the physical body that is sent to the husband in the marriage, the ''Erhi'' (spirit double), remains in the family home. This explains why a woman is brought back to be buried in her family home when she dies.
In the ancestral home of the man, the wife is welcomed into the family by the eldest member. She is expected to confess all of her love affairs during and after her betrothal to her husband, if any, and is then absolved of them. She becomes a full member of her husband's family after this ritual, and is assumed to be protected by the
supernatural
Supernatural phenomena or entities are those beyond the Scientific law, laws of nature. The term is derived from Medieval Latin , from Latin 'above, beyond, outside of' + 'nature'. Although the corollary term "nature" has had multiple meanin ...
(''Erivwin''). This ritual symbolizes an agreement between the wife and the ''Erivwin''.
If the wife later becomes unfaithful, it is believed that she will be punished by the ''Erivwin'' – this could be the reason Urhobo women have an enduring reputation as loyal and faithful wives.
Urhobo
Urhobo has always been a non-homogeneous linguistic entity. Since time immemorial, Urhobo has been colored by variation that occur on various levels. These variations manifest in the various Urhobo kingdoms. A specific dialect of Urhobo has broken off and become an individual ethnic nationality (
Isoko). Another dialect is prospecting at this option (Okpe). The main reason for this break-off is mainly because of crude oil revenue. James W. Welch once asserted that
Isoko is a dialect of Urhobo. For many years, most historians, linguists and cultural anthropologists are of the opinion that Isoko is just a dialect and a cultural unit of Urhobo. In fact, this was upheld by the British that these two ethnic groups were once referred to as the "Sobo" people. Later on, the Isokos were called the Eastern Urhobos. Till now, some people are of the belief that these two ethnic units are one due to similarities in culture, language, food and virtually everything. The Isoko and Urhobo names for most items are mostly the same. They greet the same way ( Urhobos say Migwor and Isokos say Digwor ), marriages are in the same tradition, traditional religion and philosophy is akin and even dressing is the same. The Urhobo nation is made up of twenty-four sub-groups, including the largest,
Okpe.
Urhobo calendar
The Urhobo ''Okpo'' (week) is made up of four days, based on regulated market cycles, religious worship, marriages and other community life. The four days are ''Edewo'', ''Ediruo'', ''Eduhre'' and ''Edebi''. Edewo and Eduhre are sacred days to divinities, spirits and ancestors. Most markets are held on these days. On ''Edewo'', ancestors are venerated. Most traditional religious rituals are held on ''Eduhre''.
Spirits are believed to be active in the farmlands and forests on ''Edewo'' and ''Eduhre''. Therefore, farmers rarely work on these days so as not to disturb the spirits.
Urhobo months are called ''Emeravwe'' and are made up of 28 days. Most of the annual festivals are held during the months of ''Asa'', ''Eghwre'', ''Orianre'' and ''Urhiori''. These are the months of harvest, when farming activity is at its lowest, so most farmers are free to partake. These are also months to honor the gods of the land, as well as spiritual forces that brought a good harvest.
Food
The very popular Banga Soup also known as
Amiedi originated from the Urhobo tribe. It is a soup made from
palm kernel. This prestigious soup can be eaten with Starch (''Usi), made from the
cassava
''Manihot esculenta'', common name, commonly called cassava, manioc, or yuca (among numerous regional names), is a woody shrub of the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae, native to South America, from Brazil, Paraguay and parts of the Andes. Although ...
plant.'' It is heated and stirred into a thick mound with added
palm oil to give the starch its unique orange-yellow colour. Banga soup and starch have gone on to become a continental favourite. Other notable delicacies from the Urhobo tribe are ''
Ukhodo'' (a
yam and unripe
plantain dish prepared with either
beef
Beef is the culinary name for meat from cattle (''Bos taurus''). Beef can be prepared in various ways; Cut of beef, cuts are often used for steak, which can be cooked to varying degrees of doneness, while trimmings are often Ground beef, grou ...
, poultry, or fish, and spiced with
lemon grass and
potash
Potash ( ) includes various mined and manufactured salts that contain potassium in water- soluble form. ), ''
Oghwevwri'' (
Oghwo soup), and starch (''Usi'') also have their origins from the Urhobo tribe. ''Oghwevwri (
Oghwo Soup)'' is composed of smoked or dried fish, bush meat, unique spices, potash and oil palm juice. Other culinary delicacies include ''Iriboto'', ''Iriboerhanrhe'',''Ugbagba'' and ''Okpariku''.
Religion
The main focus of Urhobo traditional religion is the adoration of "Ọghẹnẹ" (Almighty God), the supreme deity, and recognition of Edjo and Erhan (divinities). Some of these divinities could be regarded as personified attributes of Ọghẹnẹ. The Urhobo also worship God with ''Orhen'' (white chalk). If an Urhobo feels oppressed by someone, he appeals to Ọghẹnẹ, who he believes to be an impartial judge, to adjudicate between him and his opponent. Oghene is the fundamental factor and manifestation of all divinities. Urhobo divinities can be classified into four main categories, which probably coincide with historical development. These categories are Guardian divinities, War divinities, Prosperity divinities and Fertility and Ethical divinities.
''Erivwin'', which is the cult of ancestors and predecessors (''Esemo'' and ''Iniemo''), is another important element. The dead are believed to be living, and looked upon as active members who watch over the affairs of their family. Urhobos believe in the duality of man, i.e., that man consists of two beings: physical body (''Ugboma'') and spiritual body (''Erhi'').
It is the ''Erhi'' that declares man's destiny and controls the self-realization of man's destiny before he incarnates into the world. ''Erhi'' also controls the overall well-being (''Ufuoma'') of the man. Ọghẹnẹ is like a monarch who sets his seal on the path of destiny.
In the spirit world, ''Erivwin'', man's destiny is ratified and sealed. In the final journey of the ''Erhi'', after transition, the Urhobo believe the physical body, ''Ugboma'', decays while the ''Ehri'' is indestructible and joins the ancestors in ''Erivwin''. The elaborate and symbolic burial rites are meant to prepare the departed ''Erhi'' for happy re-union with the ancestors.
Despite this age-old and complex belief system, the influence of
western civilization and
Christianity
Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion, which states that Jesus in Christianity, Jesus is the Son of God (Christianity), Son of God and Resurrection of Jesus, rose from the dead after his Crucifixion of Jesus, crucifixion, whose ...
is fast becoming an acceptable religion in most Urhobo communities. Many belong to
Catholic
The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...
and new
evangelical
Evangelicalism (), also called evangelical Christianity or evangelical Protestantism, is a worldwide, interdenominational movement within Protestantism, Protestant Christianity that emphasizes evangelism, or the preaching and spreading of th ...
denominations.
''Epha'' divination, similar to the
Yoruba ''
Ifá'' and practiced by many
West Africa
West Africa, also known as Western Africa, is the westernmost region of Africa. The United Nations geoscheme for Africa#Western Africa, United Nations defines Western Africa as the 16 countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Gha ...
n ethnic groups, is practiced with strings of
cowries
Cowrie or cowry () is the common name for a group of small to large sea snails in the family Cypraeidae.
Cowrie shells have held cultural, economic, and ornamental significance in various cultures. The cowrie was the shell most widely used wo ...
. There are 1,261 ''ejo'' (deities), including the one-handed, one-legged mirror-holding whirlwind-god Aziza.
Notable people

*
Ufuoma McDermott, Nigerian actress and model
*
Ufuoma Onobrakpeya Nigerian artist
*
Fred Aghogho Brume, senator and industrialist
*
David Dafinone, Accountant, politician
*
Richard Mofe Damijo, actor and politician
*
Harris Eghagha, career soldier and diplomat
*
M. G. Ejaife, Urhobo nationalist, first republic Senator and the first principal of Urhobo College
*
David Ejoor, retired Nigerian army and governor of the now-defunct
Mid-Western Region
*
Justus Esiri, actor
*
Mabel Evwierhoma, Professor of Theatre Arts, University of Abuja
*
Felix Ibru
Felix Ovudoroye Ibru (7 December 1935 – 12 March 2016) was a Nigerian businessman, architect and politician. He was the first democratically elected Governor of Delta State and Senator for Delta Central Senatorial District. Until his death he ...
, Nigerian architect, senator and governor
*
Michael Ibru
Michael Onajirevbe Ibru (25 December 1930 – 6 September 2016) was a Nigerian industrialist, founder of the Ibru Organization and patriarch of the Ibru family.
Early life and career
Ibru was born to the family of Janet Ibru and Peter Ibru, a ...
, Nigerian pioneer industrialist
*
Akpomudiago Odje, Senior Advocate and Officer of
Nigeria
Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean to the south. It covers an area of . With Demographics of Nigeria, ...
*
Tanure Ojaide, poet and writer
*
Blessing Okagbare, IAAC silver medalist and Olympic bronze medalist
*
Isidore Okpewho, scholar and novelist
*
Ben Okri, poet and novelist
*
Bruce Onobrakpeya, visual artist, sculptor and painter
*
Gamaliel Onosode, administrator and politician
*
Igho Sanomi, businessman
*
Onigu Otite, Professor of Sociology (retired)
*
James Ibori, Former Governor of
Delta state
Delta is a States of Nigeria, state in the South South (Nigeria), South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Named after the Niger Delta—a large part of which is in the state—the state was formed from the former Bendel State, on 27 August 1 ...
(1999–2007)
*
Adego Erhiawarie Eferakeya Nigerian Politician
*
Akpor Pius Ewherido Nigerian Politician
*
Ovie Omo-Agege Deputy Senate President of the
Federal republic of Nigeria
Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean to the south. It covers an area of . With Demographics of Nigeria, ...
*
*
Fejiro Okiomah American football player
*
Igosave, comedian
*
Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor of
Delta state
Delta is a States of Nigeria, state in the South South (Nigeria), South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Named after the Niger Delta—a large part of which is in the state—the state was formed from the former Bendel State, on 27 August 1 ...
*Saint
Gideon Meriodere Urhobo, Founder of God's Kingdom Society,
See also
*
Agbassa
*
Warri Crisis
References
Further reading
*
{{authority control
Ethnic groups in Nigeria
Indigenous peoples of the Niger Delta