Galway water contamination crisis

THE full scale of Galway city’s third water contamination crisis in 18 months may not be known for at least another two weeks - but already there are real fears that it could affect as many as 5,000 households.

City Councillors were informed at an emergency Council meeting on Tuesday night that recent testing detected ‘very high levels’ of lead in the water supply of houses in four areas of the city including Old Mervue, Shantalla, Bohermore and the Claddagh.

Water at twelve of the 20 houses tested in the affected areas, where lead piping is still installed in many houses built before 1970, revealed high levels of the metallic element which potentially poses a serious health risk although, so far, nobody has reported ill as a result of this contamination.

Old Mervue is a particularly ‘high risk’ area and approximately 300 houses and up to 1,000 residents there have been advised not to drink the water until further notice.

THE PEOPLE OF WARRI

Warri is a small major oil producing city in the south south region of Nigeria, (Delta state). The people of warri are mainly the Uhrobo,Ijaws and the Itshekiri tribe and other small ethnic groups who have been leaving along side with the three main tribes for many years. The people of warri are mostly farmers and fisherman.

UHROBO TRIBE:
The Urhobo are a people of southern Nigeria, near the northwestern Niger River delta. The Urhobos are the major ethnic group in Delta State; the Delta State is one of the 36 states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They speak Urhobo, a language in Niger-Congo group. The Isoko and Urhobo are related in language and culture, leading to the missionaries erroneously labelling both peoples as Sobo. This name was strongly rejected by both tribes. The Urhobo nation is made up of twenty sub-groups, including Okpe the largest of all Urhobo sub-groups. The Urhobos are noted for having their own unique style of speaking Nigerian Pidgin English. Since their language is very demonstrative that translates into their style of speaking English and Pidgin English. As a result of their unique language style, their names are also unique. An example of a unique Urhobo name would be the name Onaodowan, belonging to the Onaodowan family from Warri.

Location:
A bulk of the Urhobo people reside in the south western state of Delta in Nigeria also referred to as the Niger Delta. Many live in the Ughelli local government region and in Warri and Ethiope,and in Okpe and Sapele Local Government Areas. Their language is also called Urhobo is believed to share similarities with the neighbouring Bini or Edo tribe.
CultureThe Urhobos live very close to and sometimes on the surface of the Niger river. As such, most of their histories, mythologies, and philosophies are water-related. They have an annual fishing festival that includes masquerades, fishing, swimming contests, and dancing. There is also an annual, two-day, Ohworu festival in the southern part of the Urhobo area at which the Ohworhu water spirit and the Eravwe Oganga are displayed. The king in an Urhobo village is called the Ovie. His wife the queen is called Ovieya and his children Ọmọ Ovie (child of the king). Often nowadays, these names are also given to children without royal heritage by their parents.

Food:
As with most tribes in Nigeria, a certain food is considered to belong to or originate from a particular tribe as in pounded yam and egusi soup from the Igbos, Eba and Ogbono soup (sometimes referred to as Ogbolo soup by people of Esan or Etsakor descent). For the Urhobos there are two foods considered Urhobo in nature. They are: Ukhodo (a yam and unripe plantain dish sometimes cooked with lemon grass and potash) and Starch (actual name of this staple is not often used) and Owo soup (the starch being that of the cassava plant. It is heated and stirred into a thick mound with oil palm added to give the starch its unique orange-yellow colour. The Owo soup is composed of smoked or dried fish, unique spices, potash and oil palm juice).
The Urhobos are known for some special recipe which is called Usi. This is also known as starch, and is made from cassava. Other food that is specific to the Urhobos for which they are known for are Ukhodo, Ohwo soup, and amiedi or banga soup. Banga soup is made from the oil palm fruit. This soup is usually eaten with usi or "starch" or even garri, which is a kind of pepper soup source made with yams and unripe plantains with potash and various sauces.

ITSHEKIRI TRIBE:
The Itsekiri (also called the Jekri, Isekiri or Ishekiri) are an ethnic group of Nigeria's Niger delta area, particularly the city of Warri.In the fifteenth century, the Itsekiri adopted a prince from the Kingdom of Benin as a monarch, and quickly coalesced into a kingdom under his rule. Traditionally fishermen and traders, the Itsekiri were among the first in the region to make contact with Portuguese traders. These interactions led the Itsekiri to become primarily Roman Catholic. The Itsekiri monarchy has continued to the present day, with the coronation of Ogiame Atuwatse II in 1987. The itsekiri, though small in numbers are considered to be a highly educated ethnic group and endowed with a rich cultural heritage.

Itshekiri people have a history dating back from the time of the the great Benin empire and it is believed that they originally migrated from the Benin Kingdom. little is known about how the Ijaw tribes migrated to warri , deltal state. Despite the tribe conflicts between the three tribes they have inter-married between themselfes.

IJAWS TRIBE:
The Ijaw (also known by the subgroups "Ijo" or "Izon") are a collection of peoples indigenous mostly to the forest regions, Delta state. Many are found as migrant fishermen who have long lived in locations near many sea trade routes, and they were well connected to other areas by trade as early as the 15th century.Ijaw developed into substantial corporations which were known as "Houses"; each house had an elected leader as well as a fleet of war canoes for use in protecting trade and fighting rivals. The other main occupation common among the Ijaw has traditionally been fishing and farming.

Food:
Like many ethnic groups in Nigeria, the Ijaws have many local foods that are not widespread in Nigeria. Many of these foods involve fish and other seafoods such as clams, oysters and periwinkles; yams and plantains. Some of these foods are:

Polofiyai — A very rich soup made with yams and palm oil Kekefiyai— A pottage made with chopped unripened (green) plantains, fish, other seafood or game meat ("bushmeat") and palm oil Fried or roasted fish and plantain — Fish fried in palm oil and served with fried plantains Gbe — The grub of the raffia-palm tree beetle that is eaten raw, dried or pickled in palm oil Kalabari "sea-harvest" fulo— A rich mixed seafood soup or stew that is eaten with foofoo, rice or yams


GENERAL LANGUAGE OF THE PEOPLE OF WARRI:
Though the three tribes have their respective dialets for communicating, one method of communication still stands out with the three tribes, which is the Nigerian pidgin

BELIEVE OF THE PEOPLE:
The people of warri believe they are smarter and wise then other tribes in Nigeria, and because of this general believe, they have a slogan which is ''Warri nuh dey Carri last'' which literary means '' The people of Warri dont come last in what or where ever situation they find themself's in

LOCAL FESTIVALS IN NIGERIA

Nigerian is the most populous black nation in africa and she's rich in natural resources and blessed with more than 250 ethnic groups with old traditionns,believe, cultures.These ethnic differences has greatly contributed to the rich cultural festival held at different parts of the counrty.Nigeria has many local festivals that date back to the time before the arrival of any religion. These festivals are occasions for masquerade and dance. The local festivals cover an enormous range of events, from harvest festivals and betrothal festivals, to the investing of a new chief and funerals. Here is a list of the local festivals taking place in Nigeria:

1: Durbar:

Durbar is a hundreds year old festival, dating back to the time of festival dates back when horses were used in warfare. During this festival, each town, district, and nobility household contributes a regiment to the defense of the state. Once or twice a year, state�s military chiefs invite different regiments for a Durbar (military parade) for the chiefs and his is companions. During the parade, the regiments showcase their horsemanship, their preparedness for war, and their loyalty to the state. Today, Durbar has become a festival celebrated in honor of visiting the Heads of State and at the culmination of the two great Muslim festivals, Eid-al Fitri & Eid-al Kabir. The festival begins with each group racing across the square at full gallop, swords glinting in the sun. They pass just few feet away from the Cheif, and then stop suddenly to salute him with raised swords.

2: Arugungu Fishing Festival:

The annual festival of Arugungu takes place in Arugungu a riverside town in Kebbi State. It is the leading tourist attraction in the area. The festival originated in august 1934, when the late Sultan Dan Mu�azu made an historic visit to Arugungu and in his honour a grand fishing festival was organized. Since then, it has become a yearly event held between the months of February & March. During the festival, hundreds of local men and boys enter the water, armed with large fishnet scoops. The festival also marks the end of the growing season and the harvest. A one mile (1.6 kilometer) stretch of the Argungu River is protected throughout the year, so that the fish will be plentiful for this 45-minute fishing frenzy. The festival also includes many other events, such as canoe races and diving competition.

3: Sharo/Shadi Festival :

The Sharo or Shadi festival (flogging meeting) is part if Fulani culture involving age-old initiations. During the Sharo festival, bare-chested contestants, usually unmarried men, come to the center ring, escorted by beautiful girls. A challenger, also bare-chested, comes out brandishing a whip, trying to frighten his opponent. The festival proceeds with lively drumming, singing, cheers and self-praises from both competitors and challengers. When the excitement is at a fevered pitch, it is the time for flogging.

4: Eyo Festival:

Eyo Festival is unique festival and is believed to be the prototype of the modern day carnival in Brazil. During the Eyo festival Day, the main highway in the heart of the city is closed to traffic, allowing for procession from Idumota to Iga Idunganran. The participants pay homage to the Oba of Lagos. Eyo festival takes place whenever occasion and tradition demand, but it is usually held as the final burial rites for a highly regarded chief.

5: The Sango:

The Shango festival celebrates the god of thunder, an ancestor who is said to have hanged himself. Lasting about 20 days, sacrifices are made at the shrine of the god, in the compound of the hereditary priest. On the final day, the priest becomes possessed by the god and gains magical powers. He eats fire and swallows gunpowder. The procession again goes off to the Oba's palace and the feast begins, accompanied by palm wine, roast meat, and more dancing.

6: The Benin Festival:

The Benin Festival takes place at the end of the rainy season. It is half a kind of harvest festival but it also serves another purpose of allowing eligible young men and women of the village ritually acquainted to each other. The festival occurs once in every four years and only the very wealthy can afford to have their children take part in the matchmaking ceremony. But all the villagers are able to join in the festival atmosphere.

7: The Ibo Celebration of Onitsha Ivories:

The title of the ivory holder can be claimed by any woman who has collected enough ivory and coral to fit her self out in the costume. Usually, these women are the wives of rich men, or women who have become successful in business and can buy their own ivory. The woman has to have two huge pieces of ivory, one for each leg. The pieces have been known to weigh up to 56 pounds (25 kilos) each. In addition, two large pieces must adorn the wrists.

Galway Poem

Galway, city of the beautiful, a land situated on low plain where the horizon is bright and clear. O! how i long to see you, you are one of a kind, different from others, Generous and charming. I remember the first time your eyes met mine,the oceans depth were hidden in your eyes.A pair of innocent minds and hearts full of Great passion for one another is how our story began, when I see you I smile; But when i'm far from you; I'll be wishing I was close to you.O Galway you've shared my laughter, and my tears,you've always fought away my fears, you're beautiful in every season, today i'm going to sit by you and take my vow, because every friend needs a friend. I hope you remember, You are now and will always be, A true friend indeed Galway.