The Iria

The Iria is a rite of passage performed by the females of the African Okrika Tribe of Nigeria. In this rite girls from the ages of 14 to 16 enter into "fatting rooms" where they are fed rich local foods to make the body "come out". They then are taught by the elderly women of the tribe to sing the traditional Iria songs. It's believed among these people that young girls form a romantic attachment to water spirits. Before they are considered marriageable and allowed to receive moral suitors they must first free themselves from these attachments. This is accomplished by the coming together of the girls at the river on successive dawns to sing the songs they have learned. On the final day, the initiates return to the riverbank and the water spirits are expected to attempt to seize the girls by force. This can be prevented by Okokolo, a senior male member of the Owuper society who strikes the girls with sticks, driving them back to the village, ensuring both their safety and future fertility.