Amassoma is one of the towns that make up the present Ogoin Ebe (clan) in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area in Bayelsa State. The clan is made up of Amassoma, Otuan and Amatolo in Bayelsa State and Uwheru and Eberedeni in Delta State.
The annual Amassoma Seigbein Festival is almost as old as the town itself. When King Oboro, the founder of Amassoma died peacefully of old age, his high profile recognition as a great fisherman, farmer, merchant and expansionist attracted sympathizers and important guests from far and wide.
The dare need to give the numerous guest a befitting entertainment compelled the three sons of Late King Oboro – Alomu, Okpodu and Ogoni to organize a special communal poaching (fishing) at a lake about two kilometers away from the Southern (opposite) side of the river.
The women folk of the town also contributed raw foodstuff, cooking ingredients and firewood for preparation of the various types of meals for the entertainment of the guests.
The burial of King Oboro was a grand success. Based on the glamour and success of the funeral, the sons of King Oboro decided to legitimize the use of the same manner of festivities annually to remember their father and founder of Amassoma.
Thus, for about four hundred years now, it has become a part of the people’s tradition to return home from all parts of the country and beyond to celebrate and remember their founder and first king.
The festival takes places at the ending part of May or early part of June. A period spanning about four days is set aside for this multi-facial festival. On the first day of the festival, a colourful traditional fishing takes place at another lake directly opposite the town.
Other attractions of the Seigbein Festival are display of the successful harvest of the year. There are also presentation of food items to family and friends including strangers or first comers to the festival.
Apart from the festivities involved, the annual festival is used as a period of communal re-integration, remembrance of ancestors, stock taking and projection of new development agenda for the coming year.
The people also use Seigbein as a calendar to identify and chronicle age groups, birth and death records. And also other important events in social, economic, political and cultural changes in Amassoma.
Due to the high interest the festival has garnered in recent times; modern activities like music, dance, drama, seminars and symposium have been incorporated into the festival.
Also, because of the tourism potentials that abound in the annual Siegbein Festival, the former Rivers State and present Bayelsa State Governments have become involved in the organization of the festival. And this has upgraded the festival to something more than just a communal festival.
