OLOIBIRI, BAYELSA STATE — A rare manatee was caught in dramatic fashion during the annual fishing festival held in Oloibiri, a historic community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. The capture drew loud cheers from villagers and visitors alike, adding excitement and spiritual meaning to a festival deeply rooted in tradition.
Oloibiri, known for being the site where crude oil was first discovered in commercial quantity in Nigeria in 1956, once again reminded the nation of its rich cultural and ecological heritage—not with oil this time, but with a living symbol of its riverine identity.
The fishing festival, an annual celebration in many Ijaw communities, serves as a unifying event where tradition, history, and communal pride are on full display. In Oloibiri and other riverine settlements across Bayelsa, these festivals are not only competitions of fishing skill but are spiritual gatherings where communities reconnect with their ancestral rivers and celebrate their shared identity.
The manatee, locally referred to as “sea cow,” is considered a sacred and culturally significant animal in many parts of the Niger Delta. Its appearance during a fishing festival is viewed by elders as a sign of favor from the river gods, a blessing that brings pride and spiritual reassurance to the community. The catch, therefore, is not only a spectacle but a symbolic triumph that echoes generations of traditional knowledge and respect for aquatic life.
Chiefs, elders, youth groups, women associations, and cultural troupes graced the occasion with vibrant traditional regalia, music, and dances that lasted well into the evening. Local cuisine made from fresh fish, plantains, and spices was served, and communal storytelling sessions recounted past festivals, legends of the rivers, and the spiritual importance of the manatee.
Speaking at the event, a community elder, Chief Ebiwari Ologidi, described the festival as a sacred tradition that must be preserved. “This is not just about catching fish; it is about who we are as a people. The manatee is a sign. It tells us that our ancestors are watching, that our waters are still alive,” he said.
Bayelsa State is currently witnessing a resurgence of traditional fishing festivals across several communities including Otuabagi, Nembe, Agge, Okoloba, and Amassoma, all echoing a common theme: the celebration of unity, peace, and cultural preservation. In a time when modernity and environmental degradation threaten indigenous practices, these festivals are acts of resistance, pride, and hope.
Many stakeholders have called for greater support from government and cultural agencies to promote these festivals as tourism assets and tools for youth engagement and environmental awareness.
As the drums faded and the boats returned to shore, one thing remained clear: Oloibiri’s manatee was more than a catch—it was a reminder of the deep rivers that still run through Bayelsa’s soul.
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