WHEN ESAN CULTURE TOOK OVER BREMEN, GERMANY

136

Esan Day 2026: Dance, masquerade, unity and a passionate security appeal turn Bremen into a mini-Esan Kingdom

By Isaac Izoya, Cultural Ambassador

BREMEN, GERMANY; It was a night when Bremen temporarily ceased to look like Germany and began to feel unmistakably like Esanland.

From the thunderous applause that greeted the traditional dances to the electrifying appearance of the masquerades, the packed hall erupted in celebration as the Esan Community Bremen e.V. successfully staged its much-anticipated Esan Day 2026 a spectacular celebration of culture, identity, unity and tradition that left guests yearning for more.

For several hours on Saturday, October 3, 2026, the rich cultural heritage of Esanland came alive in the heart of Germany, as sons and daughters of Esan origin, friends, dignitaries and cultural enthusiasts gathered to celebrate their roots and reaffirm their commitment to preserving the identity of their people in the diaspora.

It was, by every standard, a total cultural shutdown.

And the message was unmistakable: distance may separate the Esan people from home, but it cannot separate them from their culture.

Oyeke dance electrifies packed hall

The excitement reached fever pitch when the Esan women’s cultural dance group stormed the stage with a colourful and energetic rendition of the traditional Esan Oyeke dance.

Dressed in traditional attire and moving to the rhythm of indigenous music, the dancers produced a performance that triggered nostalgia among older members of the audience while introducing younger generations to the beauty of their ancestral heritage.

Cheers, applause and emotional reactions filled the hall.

For many, it was more than entertainment.

It was a journey home – far away from home.

Then came the men’s acrobatic masquerade performance, which transformed the atmosphere completely. The breathtaking movements and energetic display of the masquerades sent the audience into wild excitement, with the hall reverberating with applause and chants.

The performance demonstrated that traditional Esan culture remains vibrant, relevant and capable of commanding attention even thousands of kilometres away from home.

Dignitaries grace celebration

The celebration attracted prominent Esan personalities and distinguished guests from different parts of Germany.

Among those present were Chief Mike Itua, the Edoghe of Opoji Kingdom; Chief Abraham Okojie, the Aideyanoba of Irrua; Mrs. Stella Dimoko Korkus, the respected Nigerian journalist, blogger, media personality and entertainment commentator; Isaac Izoya, Cultural Ambassador and founder of Ehizoya Golden Entertainment e.V., Nollywood Film Festival Germany (NFFG), Nollywood Europe Golden Awards (NEGA) and Nollywood Practitioners Europe, among other notable guests, Engr Irabor Odigie and Esan Communities across Germany.

Other communities that graced the Esan Day;

Nigeria Union ev. Bremen, Edo   Union Bremen, Ika – Rinma Bremen, Ndokwa  Union  Bremen, Urhobo Union Bremen, Abiriba Union Bremen, Orlu  Union Bremen, Ghana   Community  Bremen, Sierra  Leone  Community Bremen, Esan Union Hamburg, Esan  Union  Mainheim, Esan group Hannover, Nigeria  Association Münster, Agape  Brothers Bremen, White Lion Bremen, Justin barbing  shop, Mommies Corner, Churches, Iwinosa United Mothers, Esan Women cultural dance, Unique mummies Hannover, Jessica and caring sisters and German Women friends

Their presence added colour and prestige to an occasion that was clearly designed not merely as a social gathering but as an important statement about the preservation of Esan identity in Europe.

‘Our children must know where they come from’

In his welcome address, Mr. John Ighodalo, Chairman of Esan Community Bremen e.V., set the tone for the evening by stressing the importance of cultural preservation among Esan people living outside Nigeria.

He recalled the humble beginnings of the organisation more than a decade ago and explained that the community had remained committed to building a stronger platform for Esan people while promoting cultural exchange between Germany and Nigeria.

“Our children who are born and raised here in Europe must never grow up disconnected from their roots. They must know who they are, where they come from and the values that define our people,” Ighodalo said.

He noted that cultural programmes such as Esan Day provide an opportunity for the older generation to pass traditions to younger Esans while also introducing the wider European community to the richness of Esan culture.

He further expressed the community’s determination to expand its activities through more cultural exhibitions and collaborative programmes in both Germany and Nigeria.

From celebration to security

But the Esan Day celebration was not all about dancing, music, masquerades and merriment.

In a remarkable demonstration of community responsibility, the organisers used the occasion to draw attention to the security challenges confronting communities across Esanland in Edo State.

The community launched an appeal for financial contributions towards the acquisition of drones to support security monitoring efforts in Esan communities, particularly in difficult-to-access bush areas.

Making an emotional appeal, the Head of the Elders Forum, Prophet Ben Odigie, told the gathering that the diaspora could not afford to remain indifferent to the security challenges confronting their people back home.

“We cannot fold our hands and watch helplessly while our people are being killed. We may be far away in Germany, but our hearts and responsibilities remain with our people at home,” Odigie declared.

He appealed to individuals, organisations and well-meaning Esans to support the initiative by contributing towards the purchase of drones that could assist security personnel in monitoring vulnerable areas.

“We are appealing to you to support us in buying drones that can help security personnel monitor our bushes and difficult areas. Every contribution counts. This is about protecting our people,” he said.

His passionate appeal struck a chord with the audience, who responded with generous donations towards the initiative.

More than a cultural festival

The development transformed Esan Day from a conventional cultural celebration into something much bigger, a demonstration of the power of diaspora communities to remain connected to their homeland and contribute to its wellbeing.

The event brought together culture, identity, unity, entertainment and community responsibility in one memorable celebration.

For the younger generation, it was an opportunity to see their heritage displayed proudly.

For the older generation, it was a reminder of home.

And for the wider German audience, it was a colourful window into the rich cultural traditions of the Esan people of Edo State, Nigeria.

A mission accomplished

By the time the curtains finally came down, there was little doubt that the organisers had delivered on their promise.

Esan Day 2026 was not merely an event. It was a statement.

A statement that Esan culture is alive.

A statement that the diaspora remains connected to home.

A statement that cultural identity can survive across generations and continents.

And, perhaps most importantly, a statement that celebration and community responsibility can exist side by side.

For the Esan Community Bremen e.V., October 3, 2026, will remain a day to remember, the day Bremen became a stage for Esan culture and the Esan people demonstrated, once again, that wherever they may be in the world, their roots remain firmly planted in Esanland.

It was colourful.

It was emotional.

It was cultural.

It was united.

It was a total shutdown.

It was, in every sense of the word, a mission accomplished.

ESAN OYEEE! OYEEEEEEEEE!

ESAN OYEEE! OYEEEEEEEEE!!