 Esigie took part in the Ovia festival (EHOR-OVIA) at Unuame and passed through the process of initiation (ỌGUA), which lasted over a year.According to Egharevba, ""dancing and masquerades form an important part of Ovia festival, which were elaborated by King Esigie who made the grove at Unuame the centre of the Ovia Cult"".During the Ehor-Ovia (Ovia festival) at Unuame, Oba Esigie expressed concern about the workload of the Okao as the traditional head and Ovia priest (Ohen-Ovia).