Historical Background
Uwheru is one of the seven clans that make up the
Ughelli Kingdom. The other clans are Ughelli (Otowodo), Orogun, Agbarha,
Agbarho, Evwreni and Ogor. Uwheru was founded by a man named Amassuama in a
quest for a fertile agricultural land. Uwheru is located in Ughelli North Local
Government Area. It is made up five Quarters which are Erovie Quarters, Ehere
Quarters, Urede Quarters, Egbo Quarters and Ohoro Quarters.
Ughelli Kingdom. The other clans are Ughelli (Otowodo), Orogun, Agbarha,
Agbarho, Evwreni and Ogor. Uwheru was founded by a man named Amassuama in a
quest for a fertile agricultural land. Uwheru is located in Ughelli North Local
Government Area. It is made up five Quarters which are Erovie Quarters, Ehere
Quarters, Urede Quarters, Egbo Quarters and Ohoro Quarters.
Uwheru is popularly referred to as UK, meaning
Uwheru Kingdom by the indigenes of Uwheru clan. The rulership of the clan is
headed by an Odio Orode of Uwheru, the first Odio Orode of Uwheru is HRM Olori
O. the current Odio Orode of Uwheru is HRM Omoyibo Peter.
Uwheru Kingdom by the indigenes of Uwheru clan. The rulership of the clan is
headed by an Odio Orode of Uwheru, the first Odio Orode of Uwheru is HRM Olori
O. the current Odio Orode of Uwheru is HRM Omoyibo Peter.
Uwheru is an Urhobo speaking clan which 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.
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.
Location and Demographics
Uwheru is a clan in Ughelli North North Local
Government Local Government in Delta State. It is located latitude
of 5.24oN and longitude of 6.01oE and at an elevation of
132 meters above the sea level. Uwheru has an estimated population of about 5,000
people.
Government Local Government in Delta State. It is located latitude
of 5.24oN and longitude of 6.01oE and at an elevation of
132 meters above the sea level. Uwheru has an estimated population of about 5,000
people.
Culture and Custom
Worship and Beliefs
The people of Uwheru are
an admixture of Christianity and traditional religion. Majority of the people
are Christians while some of them practice African traditional religion. This
religion is carried out according to the directives of their fore-fathers.
an admixture of Christianity and traditional religion. Majority of the people
are Christians while some of them practice African traditional religion. This
religion is carried out according to the directives of their fore-fathers.
Language
Urhobo language is the major
language spoken by the people of Uwheru. Some of the people also used English
Language especially in communicating with non-indigenes and between youths in
the community.
language spoken by the people of Uwheru. Some of the people also used English
Language especially in communicating with non-indigenes and between youths in
the community.
Festivals
Emagbo (Uwheru
annual wrestling festival)
is the major festival celebrated by the people of Uwheru. In this wrestling
festival, representatives from the five quarters participate by representing
their quarters in the wrestling match.
annual wrestling festival)
is the major festival celebrated by the people of Uwheru. In this wrestling
festival, representatives from the five quarters participate by representing
their quarters in the wrestling match.
Food
Garri, yam, plantain and starch are the major food
by the people of Uwheru. The best delicacies of the people of Uwheru are fresh
fish banga soup or Owo soup with starch.
by the people of Uwheru. The best delicacies of the people of Uwheru are fresh
fish banga soup or Owo soup with starch.
Dressing
Women of Uwheru dress by tying two
wrapper and a blouse with head tie with beads round their neck and wrist while
the men tie one big wrapper with a lace shirt with hat and hold a walking stick
and a small purse.
wrapper and a blouse with head tie with beads round their neck and wrist while
the men tie one big wrapper with a lace shirt with hat and hold a walking stick
and a small purse.
Occupation
Farming is the major
occupation of Uwheru people is farming and they cultivate groundnut, pepper, potatoes
and cassava which is the specialty of the women. There are also people who are
also involved in fishing especially the men. Trading is also done by the people
of Uwheru mainly on their farm products
occupation of Uwheru people is farming and they cultivate groundnut, pepper, potatoes
and cassava which is the specialty of the women. There are also people who are
also involved in fishing especially the men. Trading is also done by the people
of Uwheru mainly on their farm products
Housing
The houses in Uwheru are
a mixture of mud houses made of mud and brick houses made of cement block and
corrugated roofing sheet.
a mixture of mud houses made of mud and brick houses made of cement block and
corrugated roofing sheet.
Taboos
The people of Uwheru
forbid cocoyam. It is believed that during the ancient times when there was
war, the cocoyam saved the people of Uwheru when they are been pursued by their
enemies that when their enemies stepped on the cocoyam leaves, they fell down
and the people of Uwheru escaped.
forbid cocoyam. It is believed that during the ancient times when there was
war, the cocoyam saved the people of Uwheru when they are been pursued by their
enemies that when their enemies stepped on the cocoyam leaves, they fell down
and the people of Uwheru escaped.
Factors Affecting Health in the Community
1. Harmful
Traditional Beliefs: There some harmful
traditional beliefs by the people of Uwheru which are detrimental to the health
of the people, for example, special preference is paid to the male child to the
detriment of the female child, practice of female genital mutilation, etc.
Traditional Beliefs: There some harmful
traditional beliefs by the people of Uwheru which are detrimental to the health
of the people, for example, special preference is paid to the male child to the
detriment of the female child, practice of female genital mutilation, etc.
2. Teenage
Pregnancy: As a result of lack of
proper awareness, the cases of teenage pregnancy in Uwheru clan are very
widespread and this exposes the teenage girls to several health complication and
also burden in taking care of their children.
Pregnancy: As a result of lack of
proper awareness, the cases of teenage pregnancy in Uwheru clan are very
widespread and this exposes the teenage girls to several health complication and
also burden in taking care of their children.
3.
Poor Road Network: Poor road network in Uwheru clan makes the people to
pass through various difficulties in the transportation of their farm produced
to the market and this is associated with people go through strenuous conditions
in a bit to transport their goods at the detriment of their health. There also
conditions where so many agricultural produce will get spoilt before they can
transport them to the market.
Poor Road Network: Poor road network in Uwheru clan makes the people to
pass through various difficulties in the transportation of their farm produced
to the market and this is associated with people go through strenuous conditions
in a bit to transport their goods at the detriment of their health. There also
conditions where so many agricultural produce will get spoilt before they can
transport them to the market.
4.
Environmental Pollution: As a result of poor farming techniques such as bush
burning, the environment is always polluted especially during the dry season
where bushes in the community are burned by people after clearing their farms
or by hunters in a bit to kill animals. This greatly affects the people in the
community by the occurrence of disease such as cough, lungs diseases,
irritation of the eye, etc.
Environmental Pollution: As a result of poor farming techniques such as bush
burning, the environment is always polluted especially during the dry season
where bushes in the community are burned by people after clearing their farms
or by hunters in a bit to kill animals. This greatly affects the people in the
community by the occurrence of disease such as cough, lungs diseases,
irritation of the eye, etc.
Resources
Available in the Community
Available in the Community
1. Schools: Uwheru has two government owned school which are the
Uwheru Primary School and Uwheru Secondary School. Apart from these, there are
other schools both primary and secondary school owned by private individuals.
These schools contribute in the education of youths and children on how, when
and where to assess health care when they are sick.
Uwheru Primary School and Uwheru Secondary School. Apart from these, there are
other schools both primary and secondary school owned by private individuals.
These schools contribute in the education of youths and children on how, when
and where to assess health care when they are sick.
2. Health
Facilities: Uwheru health care facilities include a
primary health care, private hospitals and clinics, traditional birth
attendance, pharmacies, etc. which help the people to care for their health
challenges such as sicknesses and child birth.
Facilities: Uwheru health care facilities include a
primary health care, private hospitals and clinics, traditional birth
attendance, pharmacies, etc. which help the people to care for their health
challenges such as sicknesses and child birth.
3. Police Station: There is a police station in Uwheru town which help
to ensure that the people in the community are law abiding. This help in
punishing offenders and settling of disputes among people in the community with
the cooperation of the traditional rulers and all other people in position of
authority in the community.
to ensure that the people in the community are law abiding. This help in
punishing offenders and settling of disputes among people in the community with
the cooperation of the traditional rulers and all other people in position of
authority in the community.
4.
Market: Uwheru
market holds every four days. In this market, farm products are sold by the
people in the community and neighbouring community. Apart from farm products,
other things are sold by the traders in the market. Things like clothes,
household properties, etc.
Market: Uwheru
market holds every four days. In this market, farm products are sold by the
people in the community and neighbouring community. Apart from farm products,
other things are sold by the traders in the market. Things like clothes,
household properties, etc.
