Rivers
Council Plans Revival Of Womanhood Culture
The Okrika Local Government Council in Rivers State says it is reviving the ‘Iria’ culture in order to stop the prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) and discourage sexual promiscuity in the area.
Chairman of the council, Mr. Tamuno Williams, disclosed this in an interview with our source in Okrika, recently.
Iria, transition to womanhood is part of the culture of the people whereby young women of between the ages of 15 and 20 and thought to be ripe for marriage are paraded at a ceremony.
The parade is usually intended to attract prospective male suitors who might be interested in taking the young women as wives.
Williams described the practice as one of the best values in the land, saying that the council was working together with some Italian firms to project the virtues of the culture abroad.
He explained that the return to the practice was informed by the need to help the girl-child keep her virginity intact until marriage.
He added that the practice was necessary in order to safeguard the health of the girl-child and attract tourism to the state.
Williams said the council was reviving the old custom because of its importance in the life of the girl-child.
“The basic qualification is that the celebrant, the woman must be a virgin. In those days, we had an elderly wise woman who would ascertain the woman’s status whether she is a virgin or not.
“But in modern times, those who want to take part must show us the medical proof of being virgins.
“There are some arguments that such issues may infringe on fundamental human rights. Now fundamental human right only arises when a person is compelled to be part of it.”
Williams said the council would pay in N100, 000 into the bank accounts of each of the participants in the parade.
He explained that the council would be responsible for opening the bank accounts for the young women and that the sum lodged into the account would be withdrawn when the girl-child attained a particular age to be stipulated by the council.
The sum, he said, would then serve as seed money that would be invested in the education and other important aspects of the lives of the young women.
“When the issue of a girl being a virgin becomes topical and rewarding, it will create hunger for abstinence. And that hunger for abstinence will help reduce the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and other STDs.