New Yam Festival in Igboland variously known as Iri Ji, Iwa Ji and Olili Onwaasato among others is one of the most important celebrations among Ndigbo. The festival marks the celebration of the New Yam which is regarded as the king of crops among the Igbo people.
In Enugwu-ukwu, the Clan head of Umunri Clan, three important activities herald the Olili Ji Ohuu which is the New Yam Festival. They are; Ikpo Ji, Ima Mmia and Isu Evo. The three ceremonies have already been celebrated, awaiting the main event Olili Ji Ohuu on Friday September sixth and Saturday September seventh 2024.
The Ikpo Ji event was celebrated on August ninth, 2024 at the Obu Umunri at Nkwo Enugwu-Ukwu. Officiated by Senator I.G Abana and was marked with pomp and pageantry. Igwe Ralph Ekpeh, Eze Enugwu-Ukwu na Umunri was represented at the ceremony by Chief Dennis Anekwe the traditional Prime Minister of Enugwu-Ukwu along with members of Igwe’s cabinet. The Ikpo Ji ceremony marked the sanctification, purification and introduction of newly harvested yams into the Nkwo Enugwu-Ukwu market.
Before this date and event, it was only the old yams that were bought and sold in the market. A significant and praise worthy aspect of the 2024 Ikpo Ji ceremony was that Senator Abana assisted very poor traders, drawn from various villages in Enugwu-Ukwu, Nawfia, Nimo, and Ebonyi State with cash gifts to improve their trade. Tubers of the new yam were distributed to daughters of each of the eighteen villages in Enugwu-Ukwu, cabinet Chiefs, Ndi Nze na Ozo and Okeichies who are those eighty years old and above who attended the ceremony. After performing the ceremony at Nkwo Market, Senator Abana returned to Igwe’s palace with the cabinet and titled chiefs to report to the traditional ruler about the success of the event. Following this activity, new yams are now being sold at the Nkwo Market and other markets in Enugwu-Ukwu. While the new yam may be eaten by any Enugwu-ukwu indigene who wishes to do so, majority of the indigenes will wait until the official Olili Onwasato ceremony is performed by Igwe Ralph Ekpeh on Friday sixth September, 2024 to eat the New Yam. It is important to add that the Ikpo Ji ceremony must be performed by an Ozonkpu titled chief which is the highest traditional title in Umunri Clan.
The Ima Mmia is a historic prerogative of the Isionye Community comprising Awovu, Osili and Urukpaleke villages in Eungwu-Ukwu. The Ima Mmia of 2024 was celebrated on Friday August twenty-third and presided over by the Onye Isi Nze Isionye Chief Obi Anadiaka who was represented. During the ceremony the date for the Onwasato feast was proclaimed. The feast usually takes place three Igbo weeks or twelve days from the date of Ima Mmia. Igwe Ralph Ekpeh did the proclamation in the presence of some of his cabinet chiefs.
The Isu Evo ceremony was held on the following day August twenty-fourth at Ezi Ezenta Square in Avomimi Village in Enugwu/Ukwu. The event is also the exclusive preserve of Avomimi Village. It is a ceremony marked by the titled men of Avomimi who will pay a symbolic homage visit to the site of Evo in appreciation of the good harvest yield and plead for better years during the next harvest season.
At the Evo the Nze na Ozo Avomimi will agree on date of Olili Onwasato of Enugwu-Ukwu which must also be three native weeks from the date of the Evo feast. Ozonkpu I.G Okoye, Onye Isi Nze na Ozo Avomimi performed the ceremony. Igwe Ralph Ekpeh along with some of his cabinet chiefs also attended the colorful event.
The scheduling of the Olili Onwasato Feast is done according to Igbo Lunar Calendar and the advent of the new moon for the festival. Hence it may fall on August or September. Like in the 2024 event which falls in September.
The new yam festival in Enugwu-ukwu is an age long celebration which strengthens the cultural bonds among the constituent villages in the town. As the good people of Enugwu-ukwu celebrate the festival on Friday and Saturday, they pray that Almighty God continues to bless, guide and direct them in continued peace, progress as well as social and economic development.
Written by SAM EKPE
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