(PHOTOS) RIVERS COMMUNITY INITIATE YOUNG VIRGINS INTO WOMANHOOD

December 6, 2023

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Ogu kingdom, a community in the Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, once again gathered lots of attention on social media over the pictures of its annual Iria festival, a ceremony that ushers in young virgins into womanhood.

The Iria, a ceremony of womanhood, is an ancient festival of the Okrika people organized by various towns, particularly in December and January period.

The ceremony dates back to the 16th century and has continued to pique the interest of both locals and visitors, with people looking forward to the last three to four months of each year to see not just a glimpse but a complete view of breasts-baring maidens being initiated into womanhood.

Apart from being a natural source of entertainment, the Iria Festival is seen as a yearly competition, which families in Okrika take advantage of to showcase chastity as parents present their virgin daughters and get them ready for the fattening room, where they are fed with body-nourishing meals, especially pounded yam mixed with pounded plantain and fresh fish.

Photos from the event this year have gone viral on social media.