Art, Heritage & Tradition Unite As Urhobo Group Salutes Onobrakpeya
A colourful fusion of visual art and Urhobo cultural heritage took place Thursday at Agbarha-Otor, Delta State, as the Urhobo Igbe-Emete dance group honoured Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya ahead of his 94th birthday.
The performance formed part of the 28th Harmattan Art Workshop Series at the Onobraks Arts Centre.
Prof. Godini G. Darah of Urhobo Arts Heritage Ltd led the Ughievwen all-female Igbe-Emete Elephant Dance at noon.
The organisers said the performance celebrated Onobrakpeya’s remarkable contribution to Nigerian and African art while showcasing an important element of Urhobo cultural heritage.
Onobrakpeya will clock 94 on 30th August. Over several decades, he has built a reputation as one of Nigeria’s most influential visual artists and cultural figures.
His achievements include recognition as a UNESCO Living Legend, while his artistic career has earned him several national and international honours.
The Harmattan Workshop itself remains one of his most enduring cultural initiatives. Established as an artistic platform, the workshop brings together creative practitioners from Nigeria and other parts of Africa for knowledge-sharing, experimentation and cultural engagement.
The current August edition began on August 16 and carries the theme, “Crafts in Nigeria’s Industry.” Artists from Nigeria, ECOWAS and Central African countries are participating.
This year’s programme also remembers the late Professor Janet Stanley, formerly associated with the Smithsonian Institution in the United States.
According to Darah, Stanley used her position to promote Onobrakpeya’s artistic works and Urhobo cultural heritage. She died last year.
The tribute will draw on Onobrakpeya’s Urhobo identity as well as his artistic legacy. Darah noted that the artist bears the sobriquet Eni, meaning “Elephant,” reflecting his stature and significance within Urhobo cultural consciousness.
That symbolism inspired the choice of the Elephant Dance for the celebration.
The performance will consequently bring together two dimensions of cultural expression: Onobrakpeya’s internationally recognised visual art and the traditional performance heritage of the Urhobo people.
Organisers expect the tribute to reinforce the importance of preserving indigenous culture while celebrating artists whose work has carried Nigerian and African heritage to international audiences.
