"The most Famous Festival Of My Country".
Halo amigos, it is a pleasure to have you all in my blog today; A festival is a socio-cultural activity that is done in commemoration of heritage and culture; it is a time for us to have a great time and express our gratitude for life, wish you a happy whale 🐋 day.
What is the most famous festival in your country? When it is celebrated or occurs?
My country Nigeria, is one of the most popular countries throughout the world, known for its diverse culture and unity. They are no doubt that Nigeria is a country with several festivals like the Cola Nut Festival, Agungu Fishing Festival, Eyo Festival, Calabar Carnival etc. But the most celebrated and famous festival in Nigeria is the "new yam festival". This is a festival known to be celebrated by the Igbo people and other parts of the state; it is celebrated to give thanks for a rich harvest and is called Iri Ji ohuu or Ike Ji by the Igbo people.
The festival is also a time when the tribe thanks God for keeping them alive to witness the yam festival; it is usually celebrated at the end of the rainy season in either August or September. I am also from the Igbo tribe and I am proud of the Igbo people who are known for obeying the costumes and traditions governing them.
What is the significance of that festival in your country's traditions and your religion?
The festival is a cultural celebration that marks the end of the rainy season the harvest of the first yam, and also the beginning of the next cycle; this also means gratitude for a bountiful harvest and the continued existence of the community. It is also a time when the whole community celebrates together likewise their heritage and thanks the almighty for the successful harvest. The crop in particular, which is yam, is a famous food in the western part of Africa; it is considered the father of crops by the Igbo people.
The festival stands as a festival that promotes unity, understanding, progress, and gratitude. It is also time to glorify God and the ancestors for the new harvest. It is also done to create social and group identification and union between the Igbo communities by promoting the cultural heritage and also providing a time for everyone to celebrate with their family members, relatives and loved ones.
The festival is an annual celebration that takes place after the harvest of the new yams, which is seen as the end of the planting season and a gracious beginning of the new cycle. An promotes unity throughout the nation and in all religions In my country.
How is that festival celebrated? Are there any traditional foods or activities linked to it?
The festival usually starts with drumming and the arrival of the king/chief with the council of elders. Beginning with prayers to the ancestors before other activities like dedicating the yam to the ancestors and asking for a bountiful harvest in the future. Then dancing, joy with great feasting following the masquerade display and local government parade.
It is considered a taboo to eat the new yam before the new yam festival; this is punishable by payments of certain items and cleanings in the community's river; it is important to express your gratitude for the harvest. foods like yam and source portage yam are prepared to light up the celebration.
What is one unique fact about this festival that most people don’t know?
One of the interesting parts about the festival, which most individuals are not aware of, is that the elders consume the yam before other people; it is believed that those chosen by the ancestors are to be the first partaking of all the matters concerning the community.
The new festival also promotes peace, which most people don't get about; all they think is that the yam is being celebrated, not knowing it is for peace. Thanksgiving is part of promoting peace and communication between the ancestors and the people.
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