Some girls tested for virginity were issued certificates after passing in a ceremony by people of Ogu Kingdom in Ogu/Bolo LG of Rivers State (photo by PM)
Report from Ogu Kingdom in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State, South-South Nigeria says, some young girls who were tested for virginity have been issued certificates after passing the tests on Saturday 2 December 2023 in a rite of passage celebrated by the people.
According to PM News, the rite of passage is called Iria, an ancient ceremony done to mark the transition of girls, usually virgins, into womanhood.
The girls of marriageable age, were issued certificates by the Council of Chiefs.
Iria is considered a rite of passage for young girls as they reach puberty and begin to mature physically.
To be certified a virgin, the girls are checked by women in the town. After that, they are then kept in a room in which they undergo training on womanhood
After passing through this process, which is an Okrika (Ijaw) ceremony that dates back to the 17th century, the qualified girls are given certificates showing that they are now adults and ready to marry. – PMN
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