Abraka

The name Abraka is anglicised from the name Avwraka. Avwraka (Abraka) is one of the few Urhobo socio-political units whose predecessors did not live elsewhere among non-Urhobo ethnic group before settling in Urhoboland.

The Avwraka story of genealogical link with the royal descent group of Benin is an issue seen by most historians as merely conforming to the 'hankering after prestige'. Avwraka may actually have been a prince in an Edo-speaking political group which emigrated and settled near other Urhobo people.

The contemporary main version of the historical traditions of Avwraka (Abraka) states that before Avwraka died in Otorho-Avwraka, he had two sons called Aghwa and Ivie. These are the distant ancestors of Umiaghwa and Oruarivie of Avwraka today.

The main settlements of Avwraka(Abraka) today are :

• Ekrejeta,
• Ajalomi,
• Urhuoka,
• Uruovie,
• Oria,
• Urhuagbesa,
• Umeghe,
• Oteri (founded by descendants of Oruarivie)
• Otorho- Avwraka (Avwraka Inland): this is the traditional headquarters.

The construction of a link road from Agbor, through Abraka, to Sapele in 1901 increased the commercial activities and population in Abraka. On the 6th of May 1978, the whole of Abraka resolved to constitute themselves into a kingdom like most Urhobo kingdoms. They decided to have Chief David Oghenegueke Dafe as their Ovie (king) and Chief Joseph Ajarho Atagana from Umiaghwa as their Otota(spokesman). Recent historical development in Avwraka (Abraka) has birthed the need to divide Abraka Kingdom into Umiagwa-Abraka and Oruarive-Abraka Kingdoms.[1] Hence a two separate Avwraka (Abraka) Kingdoms with two Ivie (king), now forms a vital part of the Ethiope-East Local Government Area of Delta State to which the polity has belonged since 1976. The principal inhabitants of the city are the Urhobo people.

Abraka has a tropical wet and dry climate, with a lengthy wet season and relatively constant temperatures throughout the course of the year. Abraka's wet season runs from March through October, though August sees somewhat of a lull in precipitation. This lull nearly divides the wet season into two different wet seasons. The remaining months forms the city's dry season. Like a good portion of West Africa, Abraka experiences the harmattan between the months of November and February.

Abraka is home to the prestigious Delta State University, Abraka. The Delta State University, was established in the year 1992, with its main campus at Abraka and a campus at Anwai, Asaba. With the 1995 Amended Edict, we now have a campus at Oleh. The University runs a multi-campus system with three campuses within a distance of about 200 km apart. Currently, with a student population of about 36,000 (in the 2007/08 session), the University offers a range of programmes from the full-time certificate, diploma and degree programmes to part-time evening and weekend degree programmes. The University offers post-graduate studies up to a doctoral level. A staff/student counselling centre, an e-learning centre, student accommodation and sporting facilities amidst others are available support services.[2]

DELSU Abraka Main Campus Gate

Abraka is a favourite destination for domestic and international tourism. It attracts numerous domestic and international tourists. Abraka's Rivotel is famous for its natural flowing spring water, and has recreational facilities for outdoor activities like canoeing, fishing, swimming, barbecue. Abraka Turf and Country Club nestles at the Delta State University town of Abraka.[3]

• http://www-03.ibm.com/ibm/history/Professor%5B%5D Otite O(1973):A Study of The Urhobo of Mid-Western State Of Nigeria
• http://www-03.ibm.com/ibm/history/ MrJG.Okaka(1976)Field notes:Urhobo social History, Udu report.
• Information and Resource on Delta State University, Abraka. Can be found Here

• The Abraka Town Local Website