WÁKÍRÍKÉ

WHAT IS WÁKÍRÍKÉ Wákíríké is the original name of the okrika people who reside on a sea-port island, along ships route to port harcourt, the capital city of Rivers state. The name Okrika is the anglicised version of kirike, which was given by early European merchants who traded with the people back in the 13th century. Wákíríké directly translates to ‘we are not different’, a call of unity to the nine (9) clans that make up the ancient kingdom. WE ARE NOT DIFFERENT The essence of unity runs deep in our history, shaping the identity we carry today. This belief is beautifully reflected in one of Okrika’s most revered masquerade displays, Blacky, which intrestingly did not originate within our lands but was embraced as our own. Brought into Okrika by fishermen returning from Calabar, this tradition became a symbol of cultural exchange and shared heritage. Names like Dagogo Olungwe, Idafereshi Oruene, Wariboko (from Ingemebiri), Manas Opuiyo, Wariboko Opuiyo, and Bull Opuiyo are inscribed into our story as those who carried this legacy home. Their journey reminds us that traditions are not confined by borders—they are gifts passed from hand to hand, binding us together. This same truth you wil find in the Iria ceremony, a sacred rite of passage marking the transition from girlhood to womanhood in Okrika, Rivers State. Across the waters in Ghana, the Dipo ceremony of the Odumase Krobo community mirrors these customs, from the symbolic shaving of hair to the adornment in traditional cloth, the public dances, and the sacred preparation for womanhood. These parallels reaffirm that we are not different; across time and distance, we have all celebrated life’s milestones in ways that reflect our shared values and collective spirit. The story of Akwete weaving further binds us together, its intricate patterns woven with the histories of the Ndoki clan, Okrika, Ibani, Kalabari, and Nembe people of the Niger Delta. Through generations, this cherished art has moved beyond mere fabric—it has become a thread linking us, a testament to shared ancestry, migration, and mutual appreciation. As hands continue to weave, so too does the bond between our people, proving once again that art is not just an expression but a bridge—one that reminds us, always, that we are not different.