By: Ike Philip Abiagom
It’s another time for the great Ulo festival as the people of Umueze, the largest quarters in Ibusa in Oshimili North Local Government Area, Delta State celebrates the 2025 Ulo festival with passion and love. The air rings with the beat of drums, the sharp clang of ogene gongs, and the laughter of a community coming together in Ashia nta where the statue of Nne-Eze stands as reminders of the monarchical heritage particularly of Umueze who are the custodians of the community’s kingship.
This Ulo Festival, is a celebration that lights up the Igbuzo town every year during the month of August. Picture warriors reenacting ancient battles, dancers swaying in colorful costumes, and families coming together. This festival is a joyful tribute to Igbuzo’s past—a mix of peace, and the unbreakable spirit of its people.
Today, it’s a cultural explosion. The festival’s name, “ULO,” hints at “PEACE” in Igbo, a nod to remembering the past while embracing the present. Under the watch of the Odogwu—currently High Chief Charles Okonkwo, it’s become a yearly highlight, drawing locals, the diaspora, and curious visitors to the city’s heart. It’s a time when Igbuzo says, “This is who we are,” with pride and a big smile.
Preparations kick off weeks ahead. In each of the Umueze quarters, families sweep their compounds and stock up drinks and foods that’ll star in the feast. Young men dig out old clothes and paint, crafting wild costumes for the parades. Some dress as warriors, others as spirits, their faces smeared with chalk for that extra flair. Women tie their best wrappers and string beads, ready to dance and sing.
The Ulo Festival is more than fun, it’s the heartbeat of Igbuzo culture. It’s a time of forgiveness, a time to remember our past warriors who fought, ancestors who endured and to heal old wounds, like the Civil War scars that still linger. Everyone welcome—men, women, kids making it a true community hug and peace.
It’s a magnet too. The diaspora floods back from Lagos, London, United States of America, etc with suitcases packed with love for home. Tourists come for the show, snapping photos and tasting Delta’s spicy flavors. its a time to unite and boost Igbuzo’s name. It’s even tied to the broader Anioma Cultural Festival, showing off Delta’s Igbo pride on a bigger stage.
Graciously, this year 2025 Ulo festival added some lasting beauty to the artistic state of the community and it gives the festival a feeling of wonder which will remain indelible in the minds of art lovers, because a committee with cultural and other relevant credentials was set up and tasked with the cultural creativity to give Ibusa people what should be considered one of the finest Ulo Festivals since inception.
The 2025 Ulo Festival was graced by illustrious sons and daughters of Igbuzo such as Pastor Idowu Okeze,Chief Anthony Uwajeh,the Odua of Ibusa,Elder Acho Nonyalim and a lot of other dignitaries.
Pastor Idowu Okeze who was a special guest at the Ulo festival has congratulated the entire Umueze Quarters and the Odogwu of Igbuzo, Ouda, Onihea Umueze ,Eze Ulo,on the celebration of the annual Ulo Festival. He said: “Odogwu of Igbuzo,High Chief Charles Okonkwo is a traditionalist with a difference. He is a God-sent chief whose coming has brought so many gain in growth and development, not forgetting the unlimited peace, unity and love that currently exist among his people and within the Ibusa community.
This year’s edition of Ulo Festival is awesome, fantastic and amazing to all and sundry. We hope to sustain this tempo.“We are using this medium to call on Government, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Council of Arts and Culture and other government and culture-loving corporate entities to come and understudy Igbuzo traditions and culture as a way of developing a masterpiece for a viable Tourism Industry. “We are at best with our traditions and culture which need documentation, promotion and marketing from the government for the good of all.
Okeze said: “Ibusa is reputed for her traditions and culture which are carefully kept and nurtured for centuries. It is a festival usually marked with joy known in our local parlance as “ULO” where people make merry and forgive each other. “The Ulo Festival is satirical in nature. There is no holds back in exposing what is hitherto known and kept as a secret before an Ulo Festival; it is where every wrongdoing is brought to light. It’s a Festival among several others in the annual festive calendar of Ibusa.
Ulo Festival is one of the finest festivals celebrated by the Igbuzo people, Ulo is a communal festival with carefully planned programme and high revelry. It lasts for some days and its celebration mostly involves adult and youths who engage in it. In Ibusa, the festival is celebrated by Ezukwu and Umueze Quarters of the town. Ibusa tradition traces the origin of the festival to certain Ibusa warriors who went to Oko and returned with the idea of the festival. This according to the mythology explains the dance step of the main characters during the festival. It is on this occasion that the people move from house to house congratulating themselves. They may also congregate in groups to other villages to greet their illustrious daughters (Umuada) married in these villages.
Ulo comes with unique songs and dance-steps which are rarely sung on normal days and celebrants appear in groups singing and dancing to tunes composed by them. Major musical instruments are “Agogo” (small gong), local musical drums and Akpele (native flute). Not only does Ulo go with these traditional musical instruments, it also has a tune inimitable to it. Principal characters of the festival are Odogwu,Odua of Ibusa,Eze-Ulo,Onihea Umueze and others.