By Odey Ojeka
This year’s Ugep Lobo celebration was filled with fun and entertainment.
What is Lobo?
Lobo, also known as Yekpi, is a special day that occurs six days after the Ekoi day and is part of the Leboku Festival held yearly in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State.
Who Participates?
The celebrants are usually males, referred to as Obongha (singular) or Yabongha (plural).
Activities
1. Tree uprooting: Celebrants go to the forest early in the morning to uproot specific trees with their bare hands.
2. Parading: They parade the town with the uprooted trees on their shoulders, shouting “Haa Lobo” and playfully flogging people with the tree roots or patting them on the back.
3. Bathing and costuming: In the afternoon, the Yabongha take baths, apply traditional chalk designs and substances to their bodies, and dress in white wrappers.
4. Powdering and parading: They pour powders over their bodies and parade the town with their maidens, who wear bronze leg bangles called “liman”.
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Based on my previous article, here is the importance or significance of Ugep Lobo celebration:
1. Cultural Preservation: Lobo celebration is a way to preserve the cultural heritage of the Ugep community, showcasing their traditions and customs.
2. Strength and Masculinity: The celebration highlights the strength and masculinity of the male celebrants, who uproot trees with their bare hands and parade with them.
3. Community Bonding: The celebration brings the community together, fostering unity and social bonding among the people of Ugep.
4. Rite of Passage: Lobo celebration may serve as a rite of passage for young men, marking their transition to adulthood.
5. Tourism and Economic Benefits: The vibrant and exciting nature of the celebration can attract tourists, generating revenue and promoting economic growth in the area.
6. Identity and Pride: Lobo celebration is a source of identity and pride for the Ugep community, showcasing their unique traditions and customs.
7. Social Control and Discipline: The playful flogging and patting during the celebration may serve as a means of social control and discipline, reminding individuals of their responsibilities and expectations within the community.
8. Spiritual Significance: The celebration may have spiritual undertones, connecting the community with their ancestors and the natural world.
These significance and importance highlight the value of the Ugep Lobo celebration beyond mere entertainment, showcasing its role in preserving cultural heritage, fostering community bonding, and promoting social cohesion.
See pictures below…
