ARA NWANYI ASABA

Ogbono can't be sold openly in Asaba market more especially at Ogbo- ogonogo market ...

A lot of questions are being asked why Asaba people don't eat ogbono in other to know the mystery behind the belief read below..

There is a goddess called " ONISHE AHABA" that is believed to be the goddess of Asaba people. The Shrine is along River Naija. Part of the shrine is inside the river, the other part is on land; she's assume to be the mother of Asaba people and she is also called " The mother of good luck and protection"

If you get to the shrine, it is surrounded by Ogbono trees, the mystery behind the Ogbono tree is that, no matter how strong the wind is, the leaves of those ogbono tree can never drop in the shrine. 

It was also believed that during the war (Nigerian civil war) that the goddess fought for Asaba people using her breast  ( Ara nwanyi Asaba) to capsize the boat of the enemy that wanted to attack asaba people. 

For that reason; Asaba indigenes( the worshippers) do not eat ogbono soup... And ogbono seed cannot be displayed the same way okoro and egusi are displayed in the market; more especially ogbo- ogonogo market. Though some hide to sell it ......

In the goddess shrine, there are native white chalk there; As a believers if you take the native white chalk from her shrine and put it at your door post  no harm will come to you.

Not all asaba people believe in Onishe, meaning that some eat ogbono helplessly and nothing happens... Whenever anyone who believes and serve Onishe eats ogbono, it peels their lips and it results to a swollen mouth.

There is a festival done once in 4 years which is known as " OGBA-KULO, it's a native cleansing for all the asaba indigenes.

 As early as 4-5am in the morning, every family who believe in Onishe will put firewood on fire, when the wood is lit, they remove it and move to the shrine; while going to shrine they  turn it above their heads to avoid the fire from quenching.

When they get to the shrine; they drop it and table all their request. After that, they drop the fire wood and rejoice and aswell sing a particular song which is:

OLOKOTO IPO

IPO-NWA   IPO  ( for those that want the fruit of the womb)

IPO DI  IPO ( for the single ladies)

IPO EGO   IPO

 Meaning that, as they are leaving; they have received blessings, fruits of the womb, good husband ,wealth and many good things..

So, if you have seen the movie "ARA NWANYI ASABA"  bear it in mind that they have heard of the goddess and the way she helped the Asaba people with her breast during the civil war and they decided to act it using a different story line.....