WRITTEN BY HON. MIKE UDAH
All roads lead to Umueri in Anambra East local government of Anambra state tomorrow, August 29, 2018 as the traditional ruler of the kingdom,

His Majesty, Igwe Sir Benneth Izuchukwu Emeka, JP, Okebo the second of Umueri celebrates the 2018 Umueri New yam Festival known in local parlance as Iwa Ji Umueri.
New Yam Festival has a long history in Igboland. It is as old as farming. Of all crops-cassava, maize, potato, cocoyam and the like, yam is the most highly celebrated by Ndigbo.
Not only is it perceived as a symbol of hard work and a measure of wealth in traditional Igbo society, it is also seen as a masculine agricultural product and consequently accorded a pride of place similar to the kind of respect given to men folk.
The celebration of new yam in Umueri is no different from what obtains in other parts of Igboland. It is an expression of gratitude to God for enabling farmers to enjoy a good farming season. The ceremony is usually conducted with pomp and pageantry. In spite of the advent of modernity, the essential elements of Iwa Ji Umueri are still retained.
The highlights of Umueri New Yam celebration include the cutting of roasted yams by the traditional ruler, sharing of this product among the people present in the occasion and the eating of yams with red oil and other traditional condiments. Cultural music, dancing and merrymaking accompany the ceremony.
Different groups such as age grades, youths, the elderly, umuada as well as masquerades, take turns to display their dancing steps and pay homage to His Royal Majesty, Igwe Benneth Emeka, Okebo the second of Umueri kingdom.
The Umueri General Assembly and the entire Umueri community expect a large turnout of people, including the state governor, Chief Willie Maduaburochukwu Obiano (Akpokuedike global), other top government officials, traditional rulers of other communities, neighbours, in-laws of Umueri, friends and well wishers among others, at the iwa ji ceremony in response to the invitation earlier extended to them.
You are all welcome to this year’s edition of Umueri New Yam Festival which starts at 12 Noon. We look forward to seeing you at the Igwe’s Palace.
A Christian dimension will be added to this ceremony on Sunday, September 2, 2018 when Igwe Okeebo the second, His Royal cabinet and indeed the entire Umueri community, to be accompanied by their friends, will attend a Thanksgiving Mass at Saint Mark’s Catholic Church, Nneyi-Umueri to give thanks to God for a successful iwa ji celebration, by 10am.
The Sunday Thanksgiving Mass is in keeping with His Royal Majesty’s style of rounding off all his major activities with Thanksgiving to the Almighty God. To God be the glory!

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