AMASSOMA SEIGBEN FESTIVAL is a fishing and feasting festival. It is an age-long annual tradition held at the Seigben Ogugu Lake in Amassoma, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.^[1]

The festival is held every year on the 30th of May.^[1][2]

The origin and development of Amassoma Seigbein can be traced to Oboro the organizer of Amassoma.

After his dealth, that pulled in physical sympathies, the community was impacted to contribute into a typical treasury in order to take care of guests and sympathizers.

Circumstantially, it was a time of harvesting new yam.

In this manner ladies gave baskets of yam while the men gave palm oil.

Fish was requirement for the eating routine to be complete therefore people of the community decided and went for a fruitful fishing at "Oubulu" a long thin lake situated at southeast of Amassoma.

^[1]

After the demise of Oboro the originator of Amassoma (somosomo-Ama) his kids led by Alomu Oboro assembled other children of Oboro to talk about what to remember their father for, yearly.

They concluded to perform yearly action, which they called it seigben to praise the period.

^[3] This yearly activity began from Oubulu trench which is opposite Amassoma where fishing was accomplished for the event later on Ogugubulu channel additionally opposite Amassoma took place for the event.^[4]

A second fishing endeavor was completed to pay tribute to Oboro in an awesome second entombment without a typical treasury.

Attributable to its prosperity, the individuals accepted the soul of Oboro and Oyein (truly our Mother-God the maker) favors their harvests.

Subsequently the act of fishing and feasting was established.

Further, the festive period also coincided with a period of purification, a period of nesting after intensive farm work, a period of forgiveness and a period of marry making.

During the Seigben Amassoma fishing and feasting festival, slaughtering of live animals and buying of the dead bodies are prohibited during this period.

It was believed that all ancestors where around for merry making to influence good.^[1]

Because of certain physical and financial components influencing fishing activities in the Oubulu, the celebration site was moved to the present lake called Ogugubulu (spring) straightforwardly opposite the community.^[6] The Ogugubulu including its delta and outlet territory is normally saved for a sensible period with community prohibitive laws.

This keeps individuals from tempering with it.

A date is fixed or set aside for the celebration after traditional customs.^[5] On the day of the celebration, either end or outlets of the Ogugubulu are blocked with mats weaved or made of bamboo and raffia.

Each intrigued individual from the community, inhabitants or guests prepare their fishing gears and get set in their canoes at the community, prepared to take-off in an extremely brilliant serious race to the lake.

A first canon shot signals the take-off.

From that point members take positions at vital places in the lake and fishing commences with a subsequent canon shot.

Different members just as onlookers get into the lake and dismissing island with vivid moving processions, fanfare and pick nicks.

Highlights of the festival include fishing, harvesting of new yams, feasting and exchange of gifts and visits other activities which make the festival elaborate include traditional dances such as Egbelegbele, Okesonomo, Agene, Anyanma, Adita, Masquerades, Wrestling, Swimming competition, firm shows and soccer.^[1]