BY LUCY EZELIORA
THE worship of Onishe, the river goddess is peculiar to Asaba people and the communities surrounding the city.
At the mouth of the River Niger is the sacred abode of the deity, Onishe, the spiritual mother who holds the destiny of Asaba people.
Everyday, every hour and every moment, Onishe faithful besiege her vicinity to seek spiritual help and protection. But nobody goes to Onishe shrine with empty hands.
“If you must solicit Onishe’s assistance in whatever way, you visit her with either a full grown cock, a goat or even a cow depending on the financial capacity of the individual”, reveals Ezenmo, the head custodian of Onishe
Apart from the serenity that pervades the entire enclave, there are big ogbono trees lining up both sides to the groove of the mother goddess.
The mystery behind these trees is the belief that for the past 250 years, neither the leaves nor the ogbono seeds have ever fallen on the ground, according to the Odogwu of Asaba. This is indicative of the spiritual value of ogbono to Onishe, as she uses it for her spiritual functions.
The river goddess Onishe is as old as the city itself.
For Asaba people, it is hard to seek Onishe’s help without corresponding result. Though, for those adherents of the deity who are financially incapacitated, they are at liberty to pledge that upon the realisation of their desires, they will appease Onishe with whatever they can afford thereafter.
Onishe, the deity
Onishe is a woman with big long breasts. She guards and guides her children jealously.
According to one of the custodians of the deity, Ogbueshi Nwamu, Onishe appears to her subjects in different forms. Sometimes she could appear as a crocodile, particularly during festive periods, to accept whatever sacrifice that is being offered her. At other times, she could appear as the mother she is, dressed in immaculate white wrapper and with her big long breasts exposed.
Whoever wants to worship Onishe must abstain from sexual intercourse, at least a few days before the day of worship. Also, the worshipper is expected to dress in all-white attire, including underpants. Moreover, a woman in her period is not expected to visit the shrine.
Onishe is only worshipped on Eke day (day market). Whoever fails to keep to the rules of Onishe cannot go close to the shrine. At the shrine of Onishe, it is a taboo to drink palm wine, hot drinks, beer or any other liquor. The official and acceptable drink of Onishe are ogolo (a special brand of local brew) and Fanta.
Before Asaba people eat the new yam, they must first visit the Onishe shrine with the Asagba of Asaba, the traditional ruler. The people must first appease Onishe with a cow slaughtered at the shrine, and enough food would be cooked for everyone present. It is the tradition of the people of Asaba to pay homage to Onishe and solicit her help in the year ahead for a bountiful harvest as well as protection against any evil.
Duties of Onishe
For ages, Asaba people have pledged their loyalty to Onishe, the deity that has been their mother both in times of war and peace. The deity protects the people spiritually and physically from both external and internal aggressions. Also, the deity alerts the people on any imminent danger threatening their existence.
According to Obi Nwamu, during the civil war, Onishe was angry that her children were being slaughtered unjustly by the Federal troops. She allegedly avenged the death of every Asaba native killed when she suddenly emerged at the middle of the River Niger to upturn the ship ferrying men of the Federal troops across the river. Some soldiers on the ship allegedly survived, though.
They could not cross to the other side of the Niger, and later confessed seeing Onishe sinking the ship conveying Federal troops to the other side of the Niger. Some of these soldiers later lived in Asaba, blended with the people and eventually got married to our daughters.”
The Odogwu of Asaba, however, discloses that almost all the soldiers who killed Asaba natives during the civil war, died before they were crossed over to the other side of the River Niger.
Custodian of Onishe
There are people of particular age group selected to officiate at Onishe rituals. The method of selection is done by Otu-ahazia, delegated by the town’s traditional council to mediate between the people of Asaba and Onishe. However, those selected must be at a particular age group and their tenure expires when they attain a particular age bracket. Also, they are expected to serve for a minimum of ten years.
Therefore, if the river contains so much and plays such a significant role in sustaining man, then it is not surprising if Onishe, the deity that controls the river is accorded so much respect.
