Ex-militants, women take resource control battle to Ijaw deity

 December 15, 2015

*Thank the gods for fortification, sacrifice rams, goats, dogs, fowls to renew power
*Gbekebor agog with hyperactive dance and cultural displays
By CLETUS OPUKEME

BURUTU—THE ancient town of Gbekebor in Burutu Local Government of Delta State was abuzz lately as hundreds of ex-militants, elders, women and youths from Bayelsa, Delta, Cross River and Ondo states in the Niger-Delta region thronged the community to worship the Ijaw god of war. Chief Priest, Godday Smith aka General Bounanwei, King of the Forest, led the multitude in this year’s feast, the third since a group of adherents initiated the ceremony.

Ex-militants-at-the-Gbekebor-festival

They sacrificed one big ram, seven he-goats, three dogs, seven fowls and other items to the deity before the over-the-top dance processions and a make-belief battle against the enemies of the Niger Delta with devotees dressed in war attire, white wrappers and white ribbon clad over their foreheads, mimicking a real war scene.

Change in the atmosphere

The enchanting rite took a frenzied dimension when the weather suddenly changed, raindrops covered Gbekebor and environs, as worshipers chanted war songs. Die-hard devotees, who rejoiced at the spell of rain, said it was a mark of acceptance of their sacrifice by the deity.

Reminiscent of ancient times, the priest, Bounanawei is like a human incarnate, who understands the voice of the spirits and therefore, mediates between the deity and humans. There were unique and scenic lively cultural displays which that displayed the flourishing African culture, abandoned due to the advent of Christianity.

High-point

Climax of the ceremony was the cleansing/reactivation of the spiritual power of worshipers by the deity, as they performed the rites, rituals and sacrifices. Energetic dancing, singing and clapping follow the reinvigoration. Bounanawei wore a straight face as he poured libation with a local gin and invoked the gods, saying, “Hear me Ijaw ancestors/gods of war as your messenger, we are here to thank you for protecting us over the years.”

Invocation

He said: “The Niger Delta struggle will continue until our aims and objectives are achieved. Democracy unarguably does not favour the people of Niger Delta. The last concluded presidential election, the North and West ganged-up against our son, former President Goodluck Jonathan to take power away from the South- South region.”
Pausing as he poured yet another libation, the king of the forest asserted, “It is saddening to note that the Niger Delta is replete with tales of woes and miseries amid abundant oil wealth from the time of Isaac Boro, Ken Saro-Wiwa to the historic Kaiama Declaration.”

“The Federal Government of Nigeria carried out onslaught and mass killings in Odi, Gbaramatu and Ayakoromor to intimidate the people from agitating for resource control and justice. Come to the protection of the people of Niger Delta to fight to achieve a total freedom. Do not abandon us and allow strangers to control our resources,” he appealed to the gods amidst thunderous jubilation and applause from the crowd.

Pledge support for Buhari, Okowa

Bounanawei lauded the governor of Delta state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, for appointing him as a member in the Delta Waterways/Land Security Committee and assured him that he would not fail to maintain the existing peace in the state. He also urged the governor to keep to his campaign promises to put a smile to every Deltan.

•Women at Gbekebor festival

The chief priest also urged President Muhammedu Buhari to handle Niger Delta case with caution and not compel the youths to return to the creek. He vowed his support for the Buhari administration as long as justice and fair play come to play.

Blessings

This year’s event came as a bountiful harvest to the young priest as he reaped more than he prayed for, last year, from the gods. Major among them is the completion of his hometown multi-million duplex, which accommodated several guests during the service.
He counted among his blessings his recent appointment by the governor and his honor as a Peace Ambassador by the Unique Global Initiative of Nigeria, a nongovernmental organization in conjunction with Amnesty International.

The worthy award was in recognition of his selfless and remarkable contributions towards the Niger Delta struggle. Bounanawei has received several awards in the past, including the ‘Icon of Hope and Inspiration to the South-South’ by the South-South Youth Assembly in 2014.