In Auchi sacred kingdom, a peaceful community in Etsako West local Government Area of Edo state, Nigeria the umbilical cord that holds the people together is manhood celebration called ‘IRUAH’ i.e. (Age initiation festival). This ritual is dated back to 19th  century.

The performance of the rituals was initiated by five clans of Auchi kingdom and was made compulsory for all grown men from seventeen to nineteen years of age.

This manhood initiation gives the young men the chance to perform rituals known as “OLIRUAH RITUALS”, The motive behind Oliruah rituals is to transform the age grade celebrants from boy hood (Isoigbama) age group to full fledged young men.

These rituals give the new initiate an opportunity to purify themselves, be identified as men of the community and also give them liberty to marry. It is performed ones in every three years during Muslim festival of Eid-el-Kabir, with the king offering prayers of long life and prosperity before commencement. This is followed by the most priced initiation rite where each initiate fully adorned with its group chosen color of traditional wear which is referred to as “UKPOH IRUAH”.

The new initiate will pull off his attire up to underwear with exception of abada i.e. (loose shirt), they run directly to a place where the eldest woman is seated and cross over her legs dropping money for her in that process. This running continues after crossing the eldest woman legs.

The new initiates must not look back, stop nor talk to anyone or fall down until he gets to his house, enters bathroom and wash himself.

Each of the young men in the age grade is usually advised to be conscious of the aged woman chosen for the solemn act of Oliruah. Because It is believed in Auchi community that once this rite has been accomplished, each young man has to ensure that he will never again have anything to do with such woman not even testing her food.

Once the Oliruah is over, the young men join in the “men’s club” and cease to be regarded as young boys in town. The celebration continues with  dancing, singing, and eating together. The young men move about with pride and satisfaction, apparently to show the end of the rituals.

The Otaru of Auchi, the Ikelebe the third who is the present king of Auchi Sacred kingdom abolished OLIRUAH RITUALS which involves the crossing of the eldest woman legs in the year 1998; this is because it was un-Islamic.

In conclusion; this Oliruah rituals is to identify male children who have become adult and also eligible for marriage.