The Iria Festival: A Celebration of Womanhood

The Iria Festival: A Celebration of Womanhood Among the Ijaw People“Ijaw,” which means “truth,” represents a people with a rich and vibrant cultural heritage—one of its most prominent traditions being the Iria ceremony.

This age-old practice is particularly notable in Okrika, located in the Eastern Ijaw region. The origin of Iria dates back to Tomonoro, the sixth-generation daughter of Oko, the founder of present-day Okochiri. Tomonoro introduced the Iria tradition by adorning her daughter, Sangatoro, in the early 13th century. Since then, Iria has become deeply rooted in Okrika’s cultural identity.

The Iria Rite of Passage
In Okrika, girls typically undergo the Iria ceremony between the ages of 13 and 16, which marks their transition into womanhood and eligibility for marriage. A girl cannot be given away in marriage until she has completed this rite.

The ceremony begins with a period of seclusion, lasting up to a month, during which the girl is hidden from public view. During this time, she is decorated with Awu—a red clay paste—and later adorned with Edela, which is used to draw symbolic patterns on her body. She also wears Mpala, decorative items worn around the ankles.

On the outing day, she ties the Ogbudu, a colorful set of wrappers, usually featuring Ikpo and Onuga fabrics. All Iria girls gather at the community playground for a ceremonial display. One key moment is the appearance of Egbele Ereme, a traditional figure carrying a stick used to point out any girl suspected of being pregnant before undergoing Iria—a sign of disgrace in the tradition.

An essential part of the ritual is the presentation of certificates by the community chiefs. This certificate is symbolic, serving as official recognition of the girl’s transition to womanhood and her readiness for marriage. Without it, she cannot traditionally wed.

The Modern-Day Iria
While the tradition is slowly fading in some areas like Okrika, the Iria ritual remains a cherished part of Ijaw culture. It still celebrates young girls, typically between the ages of 14 and 16, as they approach marriageable age.

A notable feature of the ritual is the fattening room—a confinement period of about three weeks. During this time, the girls wear brass rings on their legs, which restrict movement. They are pampered, well-fed, and prepared physically and mentally for womanhood. Their families decorate booths with photos and fine clothing to celebrate them.

The ceremony begins at the market square, where the girls, now adorned with body paintings (often considered sacred), reveal themselves to the public. The event concludes with a symbolic race: a mature man chases the girls—still wearing their brass rings—through a crowd of young men. He strikes them with a stick to “separate” them from their water spirit, signifying their readiness for marriage and motherhood.

Cultural Significance and Integration
Historically, Iria also marked the transition from partial nudity, common in ancient times, to modesty. As girls matured, families would gift them with wrappers, and this presentation evolved into a celebratory rite.

Iria is not just a ritual—it serves as a means of cultural induction, especially among the Ibani people of Bonny. It teaches customs such as appropriate dress, posture, greetings, and etiquette—particularly for women who are married into the community from outside.

The Three Stages of Iria
There are three stages in the Iria ceremony, each representing a different age group:

Kala-Egerebite: For girls aged 12–15. They wear a single chest wrapper called suu, with light bead adornments.
Opu-Egerebite: For young women aged 18–21 (and slightly above). They wear Ikaki, popo, and damask wrappers with matching blouses.
Bibite: For women over 40, who wear Intorica George and Lili-Inji wrappers. This stage is the most respected and receives the most elaborate attention in Bonny.
Women who missed earlier stages can choose to combine all three into a single elaborate celebration, often referred to as an Egerebite/Bibite ceremony.

The Fattening Room Tradition
The fattening room is an essential part of the Iria ceremony. It is a time for reflection, grooming, and physical transformation. The goal is for the celebrant to become more robust, enhancing her physical appearance so the ceremonial attire fits elegantly. It’s a time of preparation—both spiritually and physically—for the life ahead.