A Bit of History
The capital and largest city of Rivers State founded by Sir Fredrick Lugard in 1912. Initially created for the exportation of coal, it became the largest exploration hub of the country with the discovery of the nation’s black gold, Crude Oil.
This discovery madeThe Garden City, Port Harcourt, among the first three most developed cities in Nigeria after Lagos and Abuja. Its vast greenery, diverse culture, and the industrial business center have allowed it to remain one of the leading cities in the country.
Unfortunately, the status quo of the oil-rich Niger Delta region in the recent past has been corrupted with violence and civil unrest. This is due to political and economic marginalization amongst its leaders towards the people.
However, this is slowly becoming a thing of the past as many youths and other concerned indigenes of the state are now doing their best to support the government to change the narrative surrounding the state and the Niger Delta at large.
So Why Visit Port Harcourt?
There is more to this beautiful “Garden City”. Let’s go on a little journey through the city to explore some amazing facts,some historic sites, and venues which make the city alive. On this journey, we are going to be looking at traditions in the city and of course, what stimulates the tastebuds of the people.
The Concept of ‘Rumu’
‘Rumu’ which means house or family, is used in accordance with the African belief that most communities began from a particular kindred or home. Therefore, using the word ‘Rumu’as a prefix to name most places, streets or roads in the city, is one thing you would notice while touring the city.
So when you hear a place that begins with ‘Rumu’in the city, it means ‘family of…’or ‘house of…’honoring the family that started the generational lineage of that area.
It is the city’s way of telling a story of the families or homes that began that particular area before it grew into the community you see today.
The Sound of the City
This is the amazing social and nightlife of the city. The city accepts all genres of music however when it comes to its indigenous sound, you will always hear artists speak in their native language or reference the city in their lyrics. Some even incorporate the cultural dance styles in their music or traditional beats that identifies them with the tradition of the city.
Renowned celebrities like Duncan Mighty, Timaya, Mr 2Kay, Muma Gee and Burna Boy all hail from this great city.
The Unique Taste of the City
No city is complete without its unique culinary delight and you would be doing yourself a great disservice if you left the city without tasting the famous ‘Bole and Fish’.
This is one of the standout delicacies in Port Harcourt so popular that there is a festival specifically dedicated to it known as the ‘Bole Festival’. This meal consists of roasted plantain or yam combined with roasted fish and what makes it so distinctive is the special tomato sauce it is served with.
All this served together is sure to have you licking your fingers by the time you are done.
Other amazing dishes include, Onunu and Pepper soupalso known as the Rivers State ‘pounded yam and plantain’. As the name implies, Onunu is simply a combination of boiled plantain and yam that is pounded together to a smooth consistency.
While I can declare my love for both dishes, Onunu served with my favorite catfish pepper soup will always make me feel right at home anytime, any day.
Events and Festivals
Some notable events in the city include Port Harcourt Book Festival, Polo Tournament, Port Harcourt International Food Festival and much more. These events attract people from all over the country to visit the city and be a part of the amazing experiences they offer.
From high-class weddings, sporting tournaments, food festivals, street fashion events, and other social events, the city has something for everyone.
So with all this going on in the city, it is important to ask, ‘Where in the city do all these happen?’ Look no further, as part of this journey, I will take you through some of the city’s event venues for both private and public events.
