Our Food
- Ótó: A revered water yam porridge cooked with fresh or smoked fish, palm oil, and mfi (periwinkles in their shells).
- Asusu: A traditional delicacy prepared from processed corn (and sometimes ripe banana or plantain) wrapped in leaves, yielding a rich, filling consistency.
- Ofe Ugbogo: A native soup heavily utilized in Ohafia, prepared using fluted pumpkin leaves, local seasonings, and assorted meats or fish, traditionally accompanying Asusu.
- Una: A prized local variety of three-leaf yam or specialized tuber enjoyed within the community.
- Ofe Achara: A hearty traditional soup featuring tender elephant grass shoots (achara) combined with molded egusi balls (mgbam).
Asusu: A cherished traditional fermented corn pudding (sometimes mixed with ripe banana for a hint of sweetness) wrapped in leaves and boiled, often paired with rich local soups.
Otó: A popular, highly filling delicacy prepared using water yam (mbila) or local yam varieties, heavily cooked with palm oil, fresh fish, and periwinkles (mfi).
Ajuma / Azima: A protein-dense, nourishing local dish cooked with traditional condiments, potent spices, and heavy palm oil.
Ofe Achara, Ofe Omume (ahu) & Ofe Ugbogo: Signature native soups cooked using tender elephant grass shoots (achara), moulded egwusi balls or indigenous ugbogo leaves, combined with smoked fish, stockfish, and local-style kpomo or kanda as natively called.
OUR DRESSING
Traditional Ohafia dressing is a powerful expression of identity, dignity, age, status and cultural pride. Clothing becomes particularly important during festivals, traditional ceremonies, community meetings and other occasions where people consciously display their heritage.
For men, traditional ceremonial dressing may include the Isi Agu or other richly patterned traditional attire, wrappers, caps and accessories appropriate to the occasion. The distinctive Ohafia warrior tradition also gives particular significance to traditional symbols associated with courage and strength.
One of the most recognisable symbols is the Okpu Agu, the traditional leopard-patterned cap associated with Ohafia’s celebrated warrior heritage. The leopard represents qualities such as courage, strength, fearlessness and authority. The Okpu Agu is therefore more than a piece of clothing; it is a cultural symbol that connects contemporary Ohafia people with the history and reputation of their ancestors.
The traditional warrior ensemble may also incorporate the matchet and other symbolic accessories, particularly during cultural displays and commemorative events. These should be understood within their historical and ceremonial context as representations of the warrior heritage and courage of the Ohafia people.
Women’s traditional dressing is equally rich and expressive. Depending on the occasion, women may wear wrappers, blouses, head ties, beads, coral accessories and other traditional adornments. The colours, fabrics and arrangement of these garments can reflect the formality of an occasion, family traditions, age and individual taste.
Traditional beads and ornaments are especially significant during marriages, festivals, title ceremonies and other important cultural events. They add beauty and dignity to traditional attire while contributing to the visual richness of Ohafia celebrations