Historical Background
The oral
tradition on the present generation talks proudly of our descent and origin
from the Great Benin Kingdom. Oral tradition has it that our great ancestor and
founding father of Ughelli
(Ughene) is the second son of Oghwoghwa, a Prince from Benin Kingdom. As
history has gone, Oghwoghwa in search of his own kingdom first settlement was
at Tarakiri and later left for Ogoviri now the current site of Ogo Techinal
College.
tradition on the present generation talks proudly of our descent and origin
from the Great Benin Kingdom. Oral tradition has it that our great ancestor and
founding father of Ughelli
(Ughene) is the second son of Oghwoghwa, a Prince from Benin Kingdom. As
history has gone, Oghwoghwa in search of his own kingdom first settlement was
at Tarakiri and later left for Ogoviri now the current site of Ogo Techinal
College.
Due to inter-family crisis, Ughelli left Ogoviri and
founded Ovwodoawanre (Old Settlement) before the present settlement headquarter
at Otovwodo. Ughelli is been headed by a tradional ruler known as King (Ovie)
and the first to settle and ruled since moving from Ogovirir was HRH Awhaide.
Ughelli kingdom is said to have seven major clans namely; Ughelli, Orogun,
Agbarha, Agbarho, Uwheru, Evwreni and Ogor each with a traditional ruler. The
people are Urhobo. It is also the seat of the Ovie of Ughelli.
founded Ovwodoawanre (Old Settlement) before the present settlement headquarter
at Otovwodo. Ughelli is been headed by a tradional ruler known as King (Ovie)
and the first to settle and ruled since moving from Ogovirir was HRH Awhaide.
Ughelli kingdom is said to have seven major clans namely; Ughelli, Orogun,
Agbarha, Agbarho, Uwheru, Evwreni and Ogor each with a traditional ruler. The
people are Urhobo. It is also the seat of the Ovie of Ughelli.
Location and Demographics
Ughelli is situated on longitude 5.59°E and latitude 5.30°N. it is the headquarter of Ughelli North
Local Government area. According
to the 2006 census Ughelli had a population of 54,206.
Local Government area. According
to the 2006 census Ughelli had a population of 54,206.
Ughelli is one of the oil producing areas of the
state in Delta Sate with at least 45 oil
wells. With an area of 1440 square kilometers, it came into existence following
the split of the defunct Ughelli LGA into North and South. It has an estimates
population of 200,000 spread across seven major clans namely; Ughelli, Orogun,
Agbarha, Agbarho, Uwheru, Evwreni and Ogor each with a traditional ruler.
state in Delta Sate with at least 45 oil
wells. With an area of 1440 square kilometers, it came into existence following
the split of the defunct Ughelli LGA into North and South. It has an estimates
population of 200,000 spread across seven major clans namely; Ughelli, Orogun,
Agbarha, Agbarho, Uwheru, Evwreni and Ogor each with a traditional ruler.
However, Ughelli is one of the largest communities
in Urhobo land, both in terms of size and population. The town has several
schools owned by a government and private individuals, a general hospital,
local government secretariat, good motorable roads. The community is a notable
link between Delta North and Delta South. The community is rich is crude oil
and gas which is evident in the presence of Shell Petroleum Development Company
(SPDC).
in Urhobo land, both in terms of size and population. The town has several
schools owned by a government and private individuals, a general hospital,
local government secretariat, good motorable roads. The community is a notable
link between Delta North and Delta South. The community is rich is crude oil
and gas which is evident in the presence of Shell Petroleum Development Company
(SPDC).
Ughelli lies within the tropical rain forest area
of the Niger-delta. The region experiences high rainfall and high humidity most
of the year. The climate is equatorial and is marked by two distinct seasons.
The Dry and Rainy seasons. The Dry season lasts from about November to April
and is significantly marked by the cool “harmarttan” dusty haze from
the north-east winds. The Rainy season spans May to October with a brief dry
spell in August.
of the Niger-delta. The region experiences high rainfall and high humidity most
of the year. The climate is equatorial and is marked by two distinct seasons.
The Dry and Rainy seasons. The Dry season lasts from about November to April
and is significantly marked by the cool “harmarttan” dusty haze from
the north-east winds. The Rainy season spans May to October with a brief dry
spell in August.
Culture and Custom
Language
The
language spoken by the people of Ughelli is the Urhobo language. It is
linguistically similar to that spoken by the neighboring Isoko people.
But as a result of globalization and development of
the community and to enhance effective communication, the English Language is
also used especially “Pidgin English”.
language spoken by the people of Ughelli is the Urhobo language. It is
linguistically similar to that spoken by the neighboring Isoko people.
But as a result of globalization and development of
the community and to enhance effective communication, the English Language is
also used especially “Pidgin English”.
Worships and Beliefs
Although
the predominant religion in Ughelli is Christianity, many natives still
practice pagan worship. This is evident in the several ancestral shrines that
can still be seen in Ughelli. A critical appraisal of the belief system of the
average Ughelli indigene will reveal a combination of both Christian and pagan
leanings.
the predominant religion in Ughelli is Christianity, many natives still
practice pagan worship. This is evident in the several ancestral shrines that
can still be seen in Ughelli. A critical appraisal of the belief system of the
average Ughelli indigene will reveal a combination of both Christian and pagan
leanings.
Festivals
The major festival of the people of Ughelli is
called the Iyerin during which cultural display of ‘Omanoku’ is performed
on the river by the market festival which is the most celebrated festival in the history of Ughelli Kingdom
which is celebrated yearly. Iyerin festival “attracts people from all
walks of life especially places where the people usually flock to Ughelli. It
is accompanied with much fanfare, music, cooking and eating of delicious native
food. It also includes masquerade display.
called the Iyerin during which cultural display of ‘Omanoku’ is performed
on the river by the market festival which is the most celebrated festival in the history of Ughelli Kingdom
which is celebrated yearly. Iyerin festival “attracts people from all
walks of life especially places where the people usually flock to Ughelli. It
is accompanied with much fanfare, music, cooking and eating of delicious native
food. It also includes masquerade display.
Food
The major food eaten by the people Ughelli is garri,
yam, akpu and starch. Cassava
is the source of most of the foods consumed by the Ughelli people. Garri, starch meal, akpu are cassava
derivatives. Standard
diet consist a bowl of Garri taken with egusi/ soup adorned with fresh fish or
bush meat.
yam, akpu and starch. Cassava
is the source of most of the foods consumed by the Ughelli people. Garri, starch meal, akpu are cassava
derivatives. Standard
diet consist a bowl of Garri taken with egusi/ soup adorned with fresh fish or
bush meat.
Dressing
The mode of dressing of
Ughelli people is usually tying wrapper round the waist with a silk shirt,
walking stick, cap for men and while the women with wrapper and blouse.
Ughelli people is usually tying wrapper round the waist with a silk shirt,
walking stick, cap for men and while the women with wrapper and blouse.
Occupation
The people of Ughelli are predominantly farmers and fishermen. The economy is
tied to fishing, farming and trading. The major crops are cassava, plantain,
yam, and corn. As a result of rapid
development, several white collar jobs like teaching and civil service jobs are
also present in the community.
tied to fishing, farming and trading. The major crops are cassava, plantain,
yam, and corn. As a result of rapid
development, several white collar jobs like teaching and civil service jobs are
also present in the community.
Housing
Until the last four decades the mode of building our
houses and the type of buildings which we had in Ughelli community were
inherited mainly from the Benin Kingdom.
The houses in ancient Ughelli were mud houses built in three stages, by
communal efforts, before roofing with thatches. These thatch houses have
disappeared for modern houses in Ughelli
community giving way to brick houses with corrugated roof houses.
houses and the type of buildings which we had in Ughelli community were
inherited mainly from the Benin Kingdom.
The houses in ancient Ughelli were mud houses built in three stages, by
communal efforts, before roofing with thatches. These thatch houses have
disappeared for modern houses in Ughelli
community giving way to brick houses with corrugated roof houses.
Taboos
Ughelli people forbid the
marriage to a close relative or any form of incest. The eating of Orua is also
forbidden. Another taboo is adultery.
marriage to a close relative or any form of incest. The eating of Orua is also
forbidden. Another taboo is adultery.
Health Status of the Community
Factors affecting Health
1.
Son Preference: This form of discrimination and one which has
far-reaching implications for women is the preference accorded to the boy child
over the girl child. They believed that the son is the one to carry on with the
linage of the father when he dies. This practice denies the girl child good
health, education, recreation, economic opportunity and the right to choose her
partner, violating her rights.
Son Preference: This form of discrimination and one which has
far-reaching implications for women is the preference accorded to the boy child
over the girl child. They believed that the son is the one to carry on with the
linage of the father when he dies. This practice denies the girl child good
health, education, recreation, economic opportunity and the right to choose her
partner, violating her rights.
2.
Early Marriage: Early marriage is another serious problem in which some girls are given
away for marriage at the age of 11, 12 or 13, after which they must start
producing children. The principal reasons for this practice are the girls’
virginity and the bride-price. Young girls are less likely to have had sexual
contact and thus are believed to be virgins upon marriage; this condition
raises the family status as well as the dowry to be paid by the husband. In
some cases, virginity is verified by female relatives before the marriage.
Early Marriage: Early marriage is another serious problem in which some girls are given
away for marriage at the age of 11, 12 or 13, after which they must start
producing children. The principal reasons for this practice are the girls’
virginity and the bride-price. Young girls are less likely to have had sexual
contact and thus are believed to be virgins upon marriage; this condition
raises the family status as well as the dowry to be paid by the husband. In
some cases, virginity is verified by female relatives before the marriage.
3.
Wife Inheritance: The
practice of wife inheritance where a woman who lost her husband is compelled to
get married to his brother or close relative. This affected the psychological
and mental health and in some cases, the spreading of sexually transmitted
disease as a result of the presence of polygamy.
Wife Inheritance: The
practice of wife inheritance where a woman who lost her husband is compelled to
get married to his brother or close relative. This affected the psychological
and mental health and in some cases, the spreading of sexually transmitted
disease as a result of the presence of polygamy.
4.
Food Taboos: several cheap, proteinous
food and meat are forbidden for children, pregnant women and lactating mothers
as a result of food taboos. Specifically, children are not expected to eat
“big” meat and eggs because it is believed that this will indulge them and they
may start to steal. Pregnant women and lactating mothers are forbidden from the
consumption of snail for they believe that their children will salivate
excessively.
Food Taboos: several cheap, proteinous
food and meat are forbidden for children, pregnant women and lactating mothers
as a result of food taboos. Specifically, children are not expected to eat
“big” meat and eggs because it is believed that this will indulge them and they
may start to steal. Pregnant women and lactating mothers are forbidden from the
consumption of snail for they believe that their children will salivate
excessively.
5.
Violence against Women: So many women suffer from domestic violence from
their husbands and relatives, inflicting in them several injuries.
Violence against Women: So many women suffer from domestic violence from
their husbands and relatives, inflicting in them several injuries.
6.
Malnutrition: This is
mainly associated with children due to lack of awareness of their
parents on what constitute a balanced weaning diet, lack of knowledge and skill
about the best use of locally available foods, making frequent necessary and
unnecessary journey and leaving the child behind or stopping breastfeeding
before the child is at least year of age.
Malnutrition: This is
mainly associated with children due to lack of awareness of their
parents on what constitute a balanced weaning diet, lack of knowledge and skill
about the best use of locally available foods, making frequent necessary and
unnecessary journey and leaving the child behind or stopping breastfeeding
before the child is at least year of age.
Resources
in the Community used to Solve the Problem
in the Community used to Solve the Problem
1.) Social
and Infrastructural Development: Ughelli
has a general hospital and numerous private
hospitals and clinics. The rapid increase in
health-care delivery services, both public and private, has contributed
immensely in lowering infant mortality and death rates generally in Ughelli.
and Infrastructural Development: Ughelli
has a general hospital and numerous private
hospitals and clinics. The rapid increase in
health-care delivery services, both public and private, has contributed
immensely in lowering infant mortality and death rates generally in Ughelli.
2.) Rich
Agricultural Land: As a result of the presence of fertile soil in
Ughelli, there is availability of food from the farm. There is also the
widespread production of palm oil and palm kernels. Limited amount of hunting
and fishing is also done. Women form a large proportion of the farming
population. They also engage in trade of food crops for cash to meet other
basic household needs. On market days, it is common to see Ughelli women
peddling their assorted goods around neighboring villages.
The present of good agricultural land make
necessary food available in the community and helps in solving the problems of
malnutrition.
Agricultural Land: As a result of the presence of fertile soil in
Ughelli, there is availability of food from the farm. There is also the
widespread production of palm oil and palm kernels. Limited amount of hunting
and fishing is also done. Women form a large proportion of the farming
population. They also engage in trade of food crops for cash to meet other
basic household needs. On market days, it is common to see Ughelli women
peddling their assorted goods around neighboring villages.
The present of good agricultural land make
necessary food available in the community and helps in solving the problems of
malnutrition.
3.) Educational
infrastructure: The people Ughelli know the value of education
and encourage their young to attend school. The people have been known to be
very passionate about location of education infrastructure in the communities,
believing it is a mark of progress. Schools serve as a major means of educating the
people in the community on issue bothered by lack of adequate knowledge,
malnutrition and general awareness of this people and at the same time improves
the health status of the people. There are numerous public and private schools
in Ughelli. They include: The major schools in are the Anglican Girls Grammar
School and St Theresa’s College. Government College, Lulu Secondary School,
Kogbodi International School, Noble Crest Secondary School, Government College,
etc.
infrastructure: The people Ughelli know the value of education
and encourage their young to attend school. The people have been known to be
very passionate about location of education infrastructure in the communities,
believing it is a mark of progress. Schools serve as a major means of educating the
people in the community on issue bothered by lack of adequate knowledge,
malnutrition and general awareness of this people and at the same time improves
the health status of the people. There are numerous public and private schools
in Ughelli. They include: The major schools in are the Anglican Girls Grammar
School and St Theresa’s College. Government College, Lulu Secondary School,
Kogbodi International School, Noble Crest Secondary School, Government College,
etc.
4.) Industrial
Development: Ughelli
is blessed with crude oil, it is one of the oil producing areas of the state
with at least 45 oil wells. It is one of the largest oil producing communities
in Delta State. The community is also known for the production of cassava, farm
oil and fish and this has greatly contributed to the development of the
community.
Development: Ughelli
is blessed with crude oil, it is one of the oil producing areas of the state
with at least 45 oil wells. It is one of the largest oil producing communities
in Delta State. The community is also known for the production of cassava, farm
oil and fish and this has greatly contributed to the development of the
community.
5.) Law
Enforcement Agents: The
community leaders such as the Ovie, Council
of Chiefs, police etc. help in the enforcement of laws and ensure that the
rights of people are not violated and at the same time ensure that the people
in the community enjoy good health.
Enforcement Agents: The
community leaders such as the Ovie, Council
of Chiefs, police etc. help in the enforcement of laws and ensure that the
rights of people are not violated and at the same time ensure that the people
in the community enjoy good health.
6.)
Development in Commerce: The people of Ughelli are dynamic people which is
adequately reflected in the field of trading and commerce. The town its environs remains a major producer of a
variety of major important food-stuff such as yams, cassava, garri and palm
oil.
Development in Commerce: The people of Ughelli are dynamic people which is
adequately reflected in the field of trading and commerce. The town its environs remains a major producer of a
variety of major important food-stuff such as yams, cassava, garri and palm
oil.