In a vibrant display of Ijaw culture, Miss Laura Iyama was crowned the “Iria Virgin Girl of the Year” in Ogu Kingdom, Rivers State.
She received the traditional title “Oguapu Tonye” during the ancient Iria festival on Saturday, December 6, a ceremony celebrating the transition of young maidens into womanhood.
The Iria is a centuries-old puberty rite and a core expression of Izon identity. The ceremony involves a public procession and celebration where participants, adorned in traditional attire, showcase grace and dignity. A key, often-debated aspect is the community’s traditional practice of verifying a participant’s status as a maiden, upheld by elder women.
While the festival was once widespread across Okrika communities, active observance has dwindled in the modern era, with the Ogu Kingdom among its primary keepers.
The crowning of Miss Iyama, celebrated for her poise, represents a determined effort to preserve this unique heritage.
The event has sparked conversation online, highlighting the ongoing dialogue between deep-rooted cultural traditions and contemporary societal values in Nigeria.
