Yam, said to be the king of all crops is highly respected by Ndi Igbo.
Thus, every year, communities in Igboland celebrate new yam, in an event known as Iwaji, to herald the harvest and subsequent consumption of yam harvested during the last farming season.
It is in honour of that cultural practice , that the people of Ogbunka in Orumba South Council Area, converged on the palace of their late Traditional Ruler, Igwe Charles Nwajagu Esiobu, to celebrate 2019 new yam festival of the community in a grand style.
Blessing Uchendu reports that performing the new yam festival ritual on behalf of the late Igwe, the Vice Chairman of the Royal Cabinet, Engineer Matthew Ezeabikwa, expressed gratitude to God for a bountiful harvest during the past farming year.
Engineer Ezeabikwa, who cut the yam into six and shared to the six quarters in Ogbunka namely, Awuka, Ishiokpu, Agbala, Umunnebo and Akwuoba, said the event should also remind the people of the need for a sustained peaceful coexistence as one community.
On his part, the Chairman on the occasion, retired Warrant Officer, Santa- Dominick Okafor, expressed joy that lasting peace has returned to Ogbunka community and urged them to always support what will promote the growth and development of the community.
The sponsor of the Ogbunka 2019 Iwa-ji, Chief John-Mark Anyaoha, said that yam is celebrated because of its speciality among all crops, and called for the sustenance of the age long tradition that has kept the Igbo identity intact and distinguished Ndi Igbo as people that cherish their heritage.
Others who spoke to the ABS, including Mr Emelibe Uzondu, Augustine Emere, Theresa Esiobu, Nsiegbe Ozoemena and Kenneth Ezue amongst others, said that new yam festival had existed for ages and serves as a moment of thanksgiving to God and called on Ndi Igbo to give more attention to yam cultivation as done by their forefathers.
The event which had in attendance sons and daughters of Ogbunka at home and in diaspora featured cutting of the new yam, cultural dance and masquerade displays.
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