Umueri Community Celebrates New Yam Festival
Yam, the king of all crops is accorded high respect by Ndi Igbo which is the reason communities across Igbo land celebrate new yam festival otherwise known as Iwaji every year.
Over the weekend, the traditional ruler of Umueri, Igwe Sir Benneth Emeka, Umueri Royal cabinet, Umueri Royal Assembly and the entire people of Umueri Oke-ebo kingdom celebrated their
2019 new Yam festival.
Correspondent, Njideka Okoye, who was there for the ABS, reports that the atmosphere at the palace of Igwe Emeka , venue of the 2019 new yam festival jubilant as people from all works of life, including government functionaries, industrialists, traditional rulers, friends and well wishers gathered to share in the joy of Igwe Emeka and the people of Umueri.
Different groups, the Umuadas, the Duurus, youth organizations, kindred, families as well as business associates, paid homage to Igwe Emeka.
Igwe Emeka, while performing the kola nut ritual, thanked God for a bountiful harvest and prayed for the sustenance of peace in Umueri and its neighbouring communities for sustainable development.
Performing the Iwaji ceremony, Igwe Emeka cut a new yam tuber into four pieces representing the four quarters in Umueri and shared it among them namely Ezi, Ikenga Invite Umueri and Otuocha while others were served with roasted yam with traditional sauce.
The traditional ruler of Aguleri, Eze Michael Idigo, who noted that his presence showed that Aguleri and Umueri are no longer in conflict but are pursuing measures to sustain the existing peace among them, thanked God for the personality of Igwe Emeka.
On their part, the Onowu Iyasele the thirteenth of the community, Onowu Mike Ekweonu and the National President, Umueri Youth Assembly, Ambassador Chibuzor Ekwenye, new yam celebration is a time to appreciate God for his benevolence for a bountiful harvest.
In their remarks, the chairman, Iwa ji Umueri 2019, Chief Sunday Udah and chairman publicity, Chief Princess Ngozi Okoye commended Igwe Emeka noting that the event is a culture that promotes peace and brotherly love.
In their separate speeches the chairman, Ikenga quarters, Chief Amaechi Ajide, Lady Nwanneka Ijezie and Lady Francisca Emeka thanked God that after over twenty years, Umueri community is witnessing good things.
Igwe Emeka used the opportunity to make presentations including distribution of wrappers to widows in Umueri.
The event earlier commenced with a church service presided over by the Archdeacon of the Cathedral Church of St Gabriel Umueri, Venerable Edward Akanno.
The event climaxed with cultural displays, traditional wrestling, and cutting of the new yam by Igwe Emeka among others.
Comments are closed for this post.