Owo soup

Oghwo evwri is a soup eaten in the south-central region of Nigeria. It is common among the Urhobo, Isoko, and Itsekiri. The soup is made with Garri soaked in water after palm oil and potash mixture has been added. It is traditionally served at weddings in the Delta State; its absence at a wedding celebration is considered insulting to guests. It is also served at other traditional celebrations.

Owo soup

Names and etymology

The soup is also called oghwevwri, oghwoevwri, oghwo or owo. It is also called oghwo ofigbo, ogwofibo and multiple other names. The name "Oghwo evwri" means "palm oil soup"; palm oil is a critical ingredient.^[1]

Origin

Oghwo soup is a soup traditional to the south-central region of Nigeria.^[2] It is common among ethnic groups such as Urhobo.^{[3][4][5][6][7]} The soup is made with garri soaked in water after palm oil and potash mixture has been added.^[3]

There is controversy about the origination of the soup. According to history, the soup is either from the ,Isoko and Urhobo people . Owho soup is commonly taken in Delta State as well as Edo state where the two tribes are populous, the Isoko and Urhobo Isoko tribe are mostly seen as the same by other tribes because of their shared similarities in Culture, their Foods Their Dressing, their Dance and their languages etc, Though the Isoko tribe is smaller ethnically compared to the urhobo yet the Isoko tribe can never go unnoticed due to their significance in Agriculture, Education, Oil Wells and more they are also the richest tribe in Delta State. it is very important to note that OWO soup and Banga Soup is a tradition in Isoko land as their land is enriched with Palm Trees and Fishes (Agriculture and more) There's no traditional marriages and Ceremonies done in Isoko land without OWO soup even if there are other varieties of foods available The OWO soup must be Present. ^[5] It is especially revered by the Isoko/rhobo people.^[3]

Preparation

Owho soup is made from fish, Banga oil, beef, crayfish, palm oil, potash where Garri is poured into palm oil thickened with potash.^[4][8] Sometimes, it is made with other ingredients such as bush meat.^[9] The Garri is blended initially to smoothen it, adding other ingredients like cray fish the soup is ready when there's floating oil on it.^[6]

Serving

Owho soup is typically eaten with a starch (usi) such as boiled yam, boiled bananas, boiled plantain or sweet potatoes or other types of swallow but is sometimes eaten alone.^[3][5][7][2]

The soup is also sometimes served as a sauce.^[10]

See also

• Palm nut soup
• Ukodo
• Banga rice