Oh, My Heart Bleeds! I am still in a dreamland! What ordinarily should be a celebration of the Isoko culture…a cultural heritage preserved by decades of glamour and glitz; a culture that defines the proud heritage of my people of Isoko; a culture that binds and celebrates my race, placing us on the global map of rich heritage, is being desecrated by those that ordinarily should have been handed over the baton of honour but who rather chose otherwise.
As a proud Isoko woman, media broadcaster, and advocate for women’s rights, I recall the Ozoro festival’s richness – lazed with pomp and pageantry. On pointnews 247, our news website we’ve consistently promoted the importance of morals and standards, core to being an Isoko woman. The Alue-Do festival celebrates our heritage, honoring ancestors, strengthening community bonds, and showcasing tradition.
It is traditionally a fertility festival. A cultural rite intended to bring blessings of children to couples, particularly women experiencing difficulties in conceiving. It’s a celebration of life, hope, and family.
The festival’s true spirit is being thrown into the abyss of ignominy by descendants who should be torchbearers. We reject the false narrative that our festival promotes violence. This is not who we are.
Like Winston Churchill said, “history will be kind to me because I intend to write it”, the scoundrels obviously chose to write the history of the Isoko people… albeit, in the negative.
I urge authorities to take swift action against perpetrators. Let’s uphold the Isoko festival’s true spirit and protect women’s rights. To Isoko people, let’s stand together – our culture is rich, our heritage is proud. We are not defined by a few scoundrels. Let history remember us for preserving our dignity.
*Share widely and let’s make our voices heard! #NotInOurCulture #OzoroFestival #IsokoPride #EndViolence*