Amb Ayegba Abdullahi Adojoh, Odiji Okpanachi Linus, Onucheyo Sunday
This research work was carried out with the aim of examining the importance of Ojekulocultural practice among Ndoni people of Rivers State. The work which used qualitative research method made use of interview and library materials to discuss the history of Ndoni people, history of Agaidoko community of Ndoni, the origin of Ojekulo practice as well as the comparison between Ojekulo practice of Ndoni and the Ulor festival of Asaba, Ichuko of Onuaboh, Kulo Kulo of Illah, Onya, Aika, Oko, Onuaboh,… and Uchokwo of Igala kingdom, Kogi State. The result shows that the origin of Ndoni people (various clans in Ndoni) can be traced to Igala, Benin and Ogbaru in Anambra State. The result also shows that the Ojekulo practice in Ndoni is the same as the Ulorfestival of Asaba, Kulokulo of Illah, Ichuko of Onuaboh, … all of Delta State, and Uchokwo of Igala kingdom Kogi State, as all these people perform it as a cleansing festival or ritual. From the results, it was concluded that the Ojekulo practice in Ndoni originated from Igala in Idah as seen in Asaba, Onuaboh, Illah, etc. who are all Igala, and that it was brought by Agaidoko and Onya/Onikwu clans of Ndoni who are part of the first people to settle in Ndoni. It was also concluded that the festival or ritual is very important as it will pave way for good luck, good health, development and many good things in the Kingdom, while the house or community is free of all evils. It was recommended that the Ojekulo be fully celebrated in Ndoni as a festival just like it is done in Asaba, Onya and Onuaboh, and not just as part of festivals or ritual to mark end of festivals in Ndoni, Itwas also recommended that the name in Ndoni which has been adulterated from Uchokwo or Uchokulo to Ojekulo, be corrected to Uchokulo, which means "bad luck or bad things go".
Agaidoko, Benin, Igala, Ndoni, Ogbaru, Ojeluko.