by Bliss Blessing
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On December 18th 2022 marked the celebration of Womanhood ( Egerebite and Bibite Ceremony ) of Mrs. CHIKA AMONI SODY-PETERSIDE of the family of Chief Dodd Peterside War -Canoe House, Biriye Polo in Opobo Kingdom.
According to the Opobo kingdom customs and tradition, a woman who hasn’t done the Egerebite and Bibite also known as Nwagbede (womanhood) cannot tie 2 wrappers like the Bibite (George Wrapper).
After about a month or more of the Iriabo staying in the fattening room during the celebration ceremony , on the 7th day , which is the day she makes her first public appearance her body is designed specially with a black paint called uri .
After the body designs are done, she’ll then be dressed in Kala-Egerebite and kilali then her family friend and visitors can now come in and examine to check if she’s properly dressed.
On the second day, the Iriabo would go to Church to give thanks to God for seeing her through the seven days in the fattening room, her Egerebite and Bibite Ceremony and the safe journey of her guests, family and friends throughout this period.
After the Thanksgiving, hefty men carried her like a Queen on the Ikasi, (oche Onye -Mmbede), (Mmbede chair) placed on their shoulders round the community, to her husband’s house and every other place she wanted to visit or greet someone before taking her back to the Arena. Then the Bibite ceremony will take place and the Iriabo would dance and change her wrapper as many times as she wishes.
Afterward, there was a Reception Party to entertain Guests who attended the Rite of Passage Ceremony ( Bite ceremony).
It was a heartwarming sight to behold as family and Friends stormed Opobo Kingdom in Rivers State, Nigeria South to honour Chika Amoni & Sody Peterside
After a successful Nwagbede ceremony in Opobo Kingdom, Rivers State, South of Nigeria, Mrs Chika Amoni & Sody Peterside in the company of her beloved family and friends from all works of life attended a Thanksgiving Service at the St Pauls Church, Opobo town.
The occasion was attended by family and friends from all over the world who stormed Opobo Kingdom in their great numbers including Siminalayi Fubara, Engr Adokiye Tombomieye, Chief Barr. Dumo LuLu-Briggs, Dakuku Peterside, Timi Alaine, Kalanne Fubara, Sam Dede, Members of Portharcourt City One Love and a Host of others.
