Rivers ADC Deputy Governorship Candidate David Okumgba Performs Traditional Okuru-Kaka Marriage Rite
The culturally significant Okrika-Ijaw ceremony, attended by former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, highlights the community’s enduring marriage customs and cultural heritage.
Rivers State African Democratic Congress (ADC) deputy governorship candidate, David Okumgba, has performed the traditional Okuru-Kaka marriage rite, one of the most significant marriage ceremonies among the Okrika people of Rivers State, Nigeria.
The ceremony was attended by former Rivers State Governor and ADC vice-presidential candidate, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, alongside other guests who witnessed the culturally significant occasion.
The Okuru-Kaka rite holds a special place in Okrika native law and custom. It is regarded as the final and most consequential stage of traditional marriage rites, symbolising the formal recognition of the couple’s union within their community.
How the Okuru-Kaka Ceremony Is Performed
During the ceremony, the woman ties raffia, locally known as Okuru, around her waist, while the man wears a singlet. The couple then walk hand-in-hand and barefoot through compounds in Okrika as part of the traditional observance.
The procession represents the couple’s union before their people and signifies the recognition of their marriage according to Okrika tradition.
A central element of the ceremony is the tying of the raffia, described as the kaka-ing of the Okuru. The ritual carries profound cultural significance, symbolising the enduring bond between the couple.
According to the customary understanding associated with the rite, once the raffia is tied, the marriage is regarded as indissoluble. The practice reflects the seriousness with which the Okrika people approach marriage, family commitments and communal recognition.
Preserving Okrika-Ijaw Cultural Heritage
The Okuru-Kaka ceremony is an expression of the rich cultural heritage of the Okrika-Ijaw people of Rivers State. Beyond the union of two individuals, the rite highlights the importance of family, tradition and community in the preservation of indigenous customs.
The participation of prominent political figures, including Amaechi, also brought public attention to a cultural practice deeply rooted in the history and identity of the Okrika people.
As communities continue to preserve their traditional institutions amid changing social practices, ceremonies such as the Okuru-Kaka remain important expressions of cultural identity and continuity.
Okumgba’s participation in the rite has therefore drawn attention not only to his personal milestone but also to the enduring significance of Okrika marriage traditions.
