Why Ibusa Residents Must Not Dance During the Sacred Ulor Festival Rite

During the Ulor Festival of Umueze Quarter in Ibusa, Delta State, a solemn rhythm is played for the ancestors alone. Drummers beat the egede drums as male voices chant and the akpele flute joins the performance, but everyone regarded as living must remain completely still. No head nodding, finger tapping or dancing is permitted, however moving the music may be. The ritual honours ancestors who once took part in the festival and gives them an undisturbed moment in the sacred celebration. Unlike other festival dances in which celebrants imitate spirits, this rite requires the living to step aside. Only after the ancestral dance has been observed may the people resume their own dancing, preserving a boundary of respect between the living and the departed.

Use The App To Win ₦1m

Stories are shared by community members. This article does not represent the official view of NaijaWorld — the author is solely responsible for its content.