Oghwo evwri is a soup eaten in the south-central region of Nigeria. It is common among the Urhobo and Isoko. The soup is made with garri soaked in water after palm oil and potash mixture has been added. It is traditionally served at weddings in the Delta State; its absence at a wedding celebration is considered insulting to guests. It is also served at other traditional celebrations.
The soup is also called oghwevwri, oghwoevwri, oghwo or owo; also oghwo ofigbo, ogwofibo and multiple other names. The name "Oghwo evwri" means "palm oil soup"; palm oil is a critical ingredient.[1]
Oghwo soup is a soup traditional to the south-central region of Nigeria.[2] it is common among ethnic groups such as Urhobo.[3][4][5][6][7] The soup is made with garri soaked in water after palm oil and potash mixture has been added.[3]
There is controversy about the origination of the soup. According to history, the soup is either from the ,Urhobo people . Owho soup is commonly taken in Delta State as well as Edo state where the two tribes are populous.[5] It is especially revered by the Urhobo people.[3]
The soup takes its name from the city of Owo.[8]
Owho soup is made from fish, Banga oil, beef, crayfish, palm oil, potash where garri is poured into palm oil thickened with potash.[4][9] Sometimes it is made with other ingredients such as bush meat.[10] The garri is blended initially to smoothen it, adding other ingredients like cray fish the soup is ready when there's floating oil on it.[6]
Owho soup is typically eaten with a starch (usi) such as boiled yam, boiled bananas, boiled plantain or sweet potatoes or other types of swallow but is sometimes eaten alone.[3][5][7][2]
The soup is traditionally served at weddings in the Delta State; its absence at a wedding celebration is considered insulting to guests.[3] It is also served at other traditional celebrations and at funerals.[4][11]
The soup is also sometimes served as a sauce.[12]