Libation and the Ovwuvwe festival celebrated by the Abraka-Urhobo's

Introduction
A libation is a prayer used in traditional Abraka society. Libations are done with eyes open to see what the ancestors have conveyed to the people. It is performed in significant event in Abraka kingdom, such as child birth, wedding, festival rituals; as a sacred communal custom, it helps to bind families and communities with everything that lives and everything that ever lived. It is also an act of remembrance to keep families linked to their hereditary legacy and to prevent them from going extinct in the society.
Libation and the Ovwuvwe festival

Like the symbolic wine in Christian Holy Communion which signifies the blood of Jesus, liquids are often used in Abraka libation prayers; some families may use water, as a symbol of the continuity of life, and some may use palm wine. Other families may use gin, schnapps, or other alcoholic beverages as a symbols of the ancestral spirits.

There is an order to follow when pouring libations that is strictly followed in Abraka community. The libation closely follows the family ancestry and in many cases, it is a narration of a couple’s links to each family member, living, dead and unborn. Libations can be simple expressions of noble aspirations with refrains of call and response. In Abraka society, every adult is expected to be able to call up the appropriate words at appropriate moments. It may be performed by the eldest family member or by a respected family member or friend. Instruments such as bells (Agogo) maybe used to accompany the officiant. Repetition helps to reinforce feelings and the mood

A libation is one of the most dramatic parts of Ovwuvwe festival celebration. It is done at the ancestral shrines and at the kings (Ovie) palace. It is meaningful and colourful, and offers a moment to reflect on the importance of community. It is an important act of remembrance that helps young people to reclaim their family tradition.

 It invokes powerful emotions and feelings of good wishes. It also offers a way to highlight both families’ ties to one another. The libation can be a way of elevating the event and involving guests and family members in a personal way. And for anyone who has lost a parent or other family member, it can be a moment of emotional reconciliation and celebration.

 Like prayer(s), libations begin with an invocation to invite everyone to participate. It is followed by an introduction where ancestors, elders and family members are named. The prayer asks God for good wishes. The conclusion ends the libation by thanking everyone for participating. It also sends the spirits home. (Tonukare Ochuko 2010).

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By
Benjamin Obeghare Izu
Doctorate student
University of South Africa.