Steemit Engagement Challenge || My Country's Culture|| New Yam Festival of the Eastern part of Nigeria.

Introduction

The new yam festival otherwise known by various igbo clans as “Iri Ji Ohuru”, “Emume-ahianjoku”, “ Emume-ifejioku”, “iro ofo”, “Iwa-Ji”, “ Ofala”, etc. Counting on the ethnic group the person hails from. This festival happens at the end of the rainy season from early August to October. At this time of the month, the yam harvested is strong for consumption.

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The significance of the new yam festival to the Igbos can not be over-emphasized. The elderly men, young men, and even elderly women of Igboland show their respect for this festival by not eating yam until the festival is performed because it is seen as sacrilege if it’s otherwise done. In commemoration of this yearly thanksgiving festival a lot of activities is put in place to ensure a successful celebration and such activities includes the date of the festival, venue of the festival (which is usually the village town square or village town hall), dance rehearsals, masquerade displays, songs to be played, etc.

Another, stunning thing about this festival of ours is that it is celebrated by Igbos in the villages, towns, and cities of every part of Nigeria and those in the diaspora. Sometimes, those in diaspora take air plight and return home just to be part of the joyous occasion. There was a particular season my dad had to travel home just to be part of the new yam festival celebration. Is this not beautiful?

History of the new yam festival

Iri Ji ohuru is an ancient tradition of the eastern part of Nigeria. It is a festival for thanksgiving to the god of harvest for a bountiful annual harvest. Due to the sacredness of the festival, not just anybody has the right to spearhead the thanksgiving ceremony. The right to spearhead the festival is given to the person called Oji Ofo (a person of high regard by the community because of his uprightness and command of good morals and respect usually the king or high chief)

Before modernization, during the time of our forefathers and ancestors. The festival is performed under prominent trees such as ukwu-egbu (pattern wood), ukwu-abosi (camwood) and ukwu-ogirisi (boundary tree). In recent times, most of these trees are no longer found in human-inhabited places but are located in the wild or forest reserve areas. So, the market square, town halls, and even open places in the villages, towns, and cities are used for the festival.

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On the day slated for the celebration, the most fattened yam tubers which are usually donated by an accomplished “di Ji” ( a person who has gained mastery in yam cultivation), kegs of dry gin and jars of palm wine, alligator peppers, nzu (white chalk), etc. Are assembled before the “oji ofo” for the commencement of the ceremony proper.

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Oji ofo will cut the roasted yam into four parts in the presence of all and sundry gathered for the celebration. The four part signifies the four market, “Eke”, “Orie”, “Afor” and “Nkwo” of the Igbo land. Oji ofo cuts the yam to show respect to the four markets in Igbo land.

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After cutting the yam, Oji ofo will look up and salute the people in the Igbo dialect, pray for a more bountiful harvest, and eats the yam first. After that, the yam is distributed to everyone and that signifies the beginning of eating yam for that season.

Importance of the festival

The importance of this festival for us the Igbos cuts across all spheres of human activity which includes

Upholding our culture and heritage

culture is the means of existence of different group of people in their different locality, city, town or country. It is that which differentiate one people from the other. The Hausas have their culture, the Yorubas have their culture, the Efiks have their culture as well as the Igbos. we hold our culture in high regard and will not want to do anything against our culture. So, new yam festival as one of our culture is an avenue of upholding our belief, making the world see and understand the glamour that is in the Igbo culture. A continuous practice of the Igbo cuture makes the new generation not forget their culture or where their hail from.

Meeting/ making old and new friends.

The festival is a social gathering where people close down their businesses and even take leave in their offices just to be a participant in the celebration. It’s a time to unwind, rekindle flames of friendship that have been forgotten, and build new relationships for future collaboration. It also helps to solidify patriotic spirits in Igbo society.

Marks the end of cropping seasons

New yam festival connotes and symbolizes the end/conclusion of harvest and the beginning of the next planting season to come.

Conclusion

As a lover of this starchy edible root called yam. I am always expectant of the new yam festival because it means that harvested yam are strong enough for consumption. For me, I enjoy yam in any way it is prepared either boiled, roasted, fried, porridge with vegetables etc.

Finally, the Igbo cultures is unique in its own way and stands out when other cultures are showcased.

Thanks for engaging.

I want to invite @jehoshua-shey and @ononiwujoel to participant in this refreshing engagement challenge.