Umuona community in Aguata Local Government Area came alive with festivities as they gathered to celebrate their 2023
The festival is a time-honored celebration that marks the beginning of the yam harvesting season and showcases the community’s deep connection to agriculture.
Umuona civic center, the venue of the celebration, was adorned with decorations, reflecting the deep cultural significance of the new yam festival in the community.
The air was filled with excitement and cultural pride as community members donned their smart looking traditional attire for the occasion while the ceremony kicked off with a ceremonial procession led by the traditional ruler, Igwe Sunday Ezeofor, members of his cabinet and traditional rulers from other communities.
They were accompanied by rhythmic drumming and traditional songs that echoed the history and heritage of the community.
The highlight of the celebration was a Holy Mass, conducted by indigenous priests of the community, as the community members joined in prayers to bless the harvest season.
Central to the festival was the presentation of the new yam, symbolizing prosperity, sustenance, and the fruits of a year’s hard work.
The yam harvested were displayed in elaborate arrangements, while the ceremonial cutting and eating of the yam by the traditional ruler marked the crux of the event.
In his address to the community, Igwe Ezeofor emphasized the importance of preserving their cultural heritage and passing it down to future generations.
He spoke of entrenching peace, unity, gratitude, and the need to sustain the close-knitted bonds that define Umuona, while revealing some developmental initiatives which includes scholarship awards to students of the community across the eight villages, among others
Commending the traditional ruler on his maiden new yam festival celebration, the member representing Aguata Two Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Honourable Tony Mobike, extended gratitude to Governor Chukwuma Soludo for swiftly resolving potential conflicts within the community, thereby restoring harmony and cohesion.
Acknowledging the successful commencement of the event, the President General of the town, Chief Kenneth Okoli, along with the Chairman, Planning Committee, Mr. Ifeanyi Onyejekwe, highlighted the distinctive nature of this year’s festivity and noted that the community has been abundantly blessed with a fruitful harvest, emphasizing the festival’s role in promoting unity and peaceful coexistence.
Among the guests who joined in the community’s jubilation were the President General of Ikenga community, Nze Chinedu Nnaji, his Achina counterpart, Nze Henry Ezeunara, and Crown Chief of Umuona, Chief Venatius Ekemezie.
The ceremony culminated with the presentation of gifts to farmers and students.
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