Igbe religion

Igbe religion, popularly known as Igbe- an Urhobo word meaning dance- was founded by Ubiecha Etarakpo in 1858 and has its headquarters at 11, Egbo Street, Kokori Inland, Ethiope East Local Government Area, Delta State, Nigeria.

The holy (sacred) day is known as Edigbe, meaning the day of joy

It is a religion based on dance as its medium of worship to the almighty God. It began as a pure Urhobo-Kokori traditional sect, until, in the 20th century with the influx of Christianity, syncretism was infused.

Originating in Kokori, it gradually spread to all of Urhobo nation and austral Nigeria at large. As a matter of fact, it gained international ground in London.

The adherents of the Igbe religion are monotheists who believe in an omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient and omnibenevolent God called Oghene and that he rewards the good and evil alike, according to their deeds.

Dance is a core element of the Igbe. The adherents believe that by dancing, they draw on themselves the very hand of the one and only monotheistic God.

As dancing is a core element of the Igbe, there is no worship session without dancing. They sing native Urhobo songs in place of hymns. At worship services, the Igbe priest(s), always dressed in white dress and white head gears, administer(s) native chalk on the worshippers for their protection.

The Igbe religion celebrates an annual feast-Ore Isi- for twelve days which takes place every May and thousands are in attendance.

Igbe was birthed in 1858 when Ubiecha Etarakpo of 11, Egbo Street in Kokori, on his way back home from the farm, allegedly saw an apparition of two divine beings who "anointed" him to preach against immorality and witchcraft. After the alleged apparition, Ubiecha became eccentric and acted insanely as no day passed without him dancing. This scared the people from coming close. It was also alleged that after the alleged apparition, Ubiecha performed amazing miracles, accurately predicted the future, healed the sick and miraculously identified witches. He built a worship house called 'ogua' in his compound and, from there, ministered to the people with native white chalk; and, allegedly prophesied with stunning accuracy. This brought people from across the Urhobo country to Kokori.

...
Wikipedia