It is a popular saying among Nigerians that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. For the women of the Itsekiri tribe, however, food has become more of a weapon to get any man crazy about them.
This lies in their belief that their ladies are extremely good cooks and with their wide array of delectable meals, no man would resist licking his fingers in appreciation after eating.
The Itsekiri (also called the Isekiri, Itsekri or Ishekiri or Itsekhiri) are a peculiar and unique riverine people who were traditionally fishermen and skilful traders living in the Nigerian Niger delta.
They have inhabited their homeland, which now constitutes the three Warri Local Government Areas of Delta State, Nigeria, for centuries.
The Itsekiri make up an appreciable proportion of the modern towns of Sapele, Warri, Burutu, and Forcados. The Itsekiris traditionally refer to their land as the Kingdom of Warri or ‘Iwere’ as its proper name
Undoubtedly, the rich traditional and cultural heritage of the Itsekiris is as a result of an evolution brought about by a hybrid of cultures.
The Itsekiri people practice a gerontocratic system of governance where elders are chosen as leaders. The priests are also highly revered. They still confer with their deities through the Ife oracle. Still, they believe in an overall God known as “Oritse”.
Traditionally, Itsekiri men wear long-sleeved shirts with George wrapper and coral beads. The women wear George wrapper and depending on the occasion, either have the wrapper tied on their chest or it is worn with a blouse.
In the olden days, the marriage took place through the family arrangement. The groom never met with the bride before the wedding day. The bride is dressed in George and elaborate ornaments of coral beads, gold and silver.
The men are dressed in an attire called ‘Kimeje’. Additionally, their women are known as good cooks and stories have it that they cook so well that a man can hardly resist.
The soups peculiar to the Itsekiris include Banga Soup, made from oil palm, and Owo soup both eaten with starch.
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