The people of Ogu kingdom in Ogu/Bolo LGA of Rivers State on Saturday celebrated Iria, an ancient ceremony that marks the transition of girls who are usually virgins into womanhood
Young virgins were given certificates by the Ogu council of chiefs for passing through the test.
Iria, is considered a rite of passage for young girls as they reach puberty and begin to mature physically
To pass through the test, the girls must first be virgins which will be checked by women of the town, then they will be kept in a room where they will undergo training on womanhood
After passing through this process, the qualified girls will be given certificates showing that they are now adult ladies ready to marry.
It’s an OKRIKA Ijaw ceremony that dates back to the 17th century.