HISTORY
The Ikwerre nation is arguably the largest ethnic nationality in present day Rivers State, Nigeria. The reasons for this deduction are not far fetch. It is made up of not less than four major Local Government Areas, and occupies the largest land mass in the state.
Rivers State consist of many indigenous ethnic groups like: Ikwerre, Ibani, Opobo, Eleme, Okrika, Kalabari, Etche, Ogba, Ogoni, Engenni, Obolo and others. One interesting fact in this region is that each tribe speaks a different language. Rivers State is a multi-cultural region. However, today we will focus on the Ikwerre people of Rivers State.
Ikwerre is one of the largest ethnic nationality in present day Rivers State. It is made up of not less than four major Local Government Areas, and occupies the largest land mass in Rivers state. Location like Port Harcourt which is also called the capital of Rivers State has attracted alot of people and Tourist. Port Harcourt is also called the Garden City, filled with oil industries, businesses and trade. The Ikwerres and its culture is often highlighted as the richest and most industrious nationality in Rivers State.
FESTIVALS
One of the fantastic traditional displays of the Ikwerre people is the traditional wrestling. This is mainly engaged by the able-bodied youths to test their physical strength.
In our wrestling competition, different types of drumming the instruments are used such as: Ikwirikwu, Ekwenkalu, Ngele, Mbamba of different types, shapes and sizes.
Apart from the wrestling competition, which is mainly for the young men, there is also the Eregbu cultural dance, Ekpo and Ekpe masquerades.
FOODS AND DELICACIES
Ikwerre people are known to be very hospital set of people in Rivers State. This hospitality is defined in the way they take care of their guests at a given time. They thrill their guests with their traditional meals. The most common of these are the cocoyam, foo foo popularly known as loi loi and various soup like okazi soup, Oha soup, okpotoro vegetable soup, prewinkle soup and others.
DRESSING
Our attire is woko shirt and wrapper, with a cap called opu wagoro made with wool
