At the heart of Nigeria’s Niger Delta, a vibrant heritage continues to thrive amidst the region’s complex landscape. The Urhobo people of Ughelli North are finalising preparations to enter their most revered and sacred season of the year.

From Wednesday, September 16, to Thursday, September 24, the Great Ughelli Kingdom of Delta State will commence the commemoration of its landmark 9-day Iherin festival, a sacred traditional period of rites, thanksgiving, prayers for the past harvests, reconnection with ancestral roots, royal homage, and celebration of communal growth and continuity among the 7 clans that together make up the Great Ughelli Kingdom.

The Iherin festival is not a one-day carnival. Iherin, also known as Ore r’Iyerin or the Iyeri festival, is a season. For the Urhobo people of Ughelli, it is the sacred season when the past meets the present, when the land is blessed, and when the Ovie of Ughelli Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Barr. Wilson Ojakovo Oghoghovwe Oharisi III, renews his covenant with his people and with the gods of the land.

The root of the Iyerin festival could be traced to the legendary Princess Irivwidide, a highly revered ancestral female warrior and priestess of Orevwo, the mystical warlord. Irivwidide was initiated by Ogele, her son Ugheni, the ancestor of the Ughelli people. She was childless but was loved and respected by her people. The Urhobo cosmology had it that Princess Ireivwidide usually invoked the powers of her deity, Orevwo, during wars against other people. She was a brilliant, undefeated military tactician who was very brave and personally fought side by side with other male warriors of the Ughelli kingdom.

In ancient times, during wars, stories have it that she was never defeated. During such wars, her deity was said to manifest as a sacred deer (Orhea). Whenever an attack was on, the deer would appear in front of the people, directing them on how to go about the combat. It is also said that it showed signs of either victory or defeat to them. Consequently, the deer became a sacred animal in the clan, and all the natives were forbidden to kill or eat it.

These actions of Irivwidide and Orevwo were of great significance to the people. Before her passing, she requested that the community establish a ritual of remembrance in place of the children she never had, ensuring her memory would live on forever. The core feature of the festival was the washing of the ancestral “Ihenri,” that is, the relics of an ancestral shrine made from the horn of big animals, set aside for that purpose.

In Urhobo land, Iherin has evolved over the decades. It has become both spiritual and agricultural, as it marks the end of the farming season and the beginning of a new year of blessings, following the sighting of the ninth moon. And because the traditional Urhobo festival cycle spans 9 consecutive days, the celebrations, cultural displays, and final spiritual processions will conclude on the forenoon of September 24.

Speaking at the palace of the Ovie of Ughelli Kingdom, the Otota of Ughelli Kingdom, Olorogun Tobore Akpofure (JP), said highlights of the festival include; the commencement of the festival on September 16, signalled by the Sighting of the ninth moon, Washing of Iherins, that is, Kingdom-wide prayers for prosperity, blessings and communal well-being, Chanting of Ighomo by the youths, Traditional prayers which entails special prayers offered within homes and communities, Cultural heritage displays, Exchange of gifts among families and communities and Umalokun Boat Regatta — the Grand Waterborne Spectacle, displaying the magnificent traditional water procession marking the grand finale of the festival.

The Ovie-in-Council has said the 2026 edition will uphold traditional rites while creating space for youth and economic participation.

Further, stakeholders including the Delta State Commissioner of Culture and Tourism, Dr Darlington Nnamdi Ijeh, have noted that festivals like Iherin are critical to preserving Urhobo identity and promoting cultural tourism in Delta. “The government will continue to support initiatives that unite our people.”

While the main activities will centre around the Palace of the Ovie of Ughelli and community town halls across Ughelli North, the 2026 Iherin festival is yet another strong reminder that culture and development work in pari passu, and Iherin offers that model: development rooted in culture and tradition.

Therefore, from September 16 to 24, the people of Ughelli Kingdom in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State will not just count the harvest; they will step into a new season of unity and prosperity.