The culture of new yam festival in Igboland, is a long-established custom that was passed on from generation to generation. Known as Ịwa Ji, Iri Ji, Ike Ji, or Otite depending on the dialect, the New Yam festival is an annual cultural festival by Ndi Igbo, held in August and September. It is a cultural event tying all Igbo communities together.
The festival symbolizes the conclusion of a harvest season and the beginning of a new farming season. It attracts Ndi Igbo who are resident abroad to their communities to join their kits and kin in the celebration.
Umuawulu Community in Awka South council area of Anambra State has over the years celebrated the New Yam festival as culture demands. Umuawulu is proud of her land mass, which encourages them to cultivate yam and other crops in commercial quantity.
The celebration of the new yam in Umuawulu, has however, received a boost since the coronation of His Royal Majesty, Igwe Dr. Joel Maduadichie Egwuonwu, the traditional ruler of Umuawulu, as Ezeudo the second. For instance, Igwe Egwuonwu introduced agricultural exhibition and empowerment programmes to assist his subjects in becoming self reliant in their different endeavors. During the yearly Ịwa Ji Umuawulu, farmers display their farm produce and the first four farmers whose yams are adjudged the biggest are rewarded with N100,000 and a motorcycle each while other participants get N20,000 each.
Besides, all the women who participated in the agricultural exhibition go home with N10,000 each.
Igwe Egwuonwu takes this unprecedented step to motivate his subjects especially the youths, to embrace agriculture.
In Igbo tradition, new yam is presented to Almighty God, (Chiukwu), showing gratitude to the Supreme being for his protection and kindness from lean periods to the time of bountiful harvest.
After the prayer of thanksgiving to God, the king and eminent title holders in the community will kick-start the eating of the yam and then distribute to the villagers who will then be authorized to celebrate the new yam in their homes and villages.
Therefore, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Dr. Joel Maduadichie Egwuonwu, Ezeudo the second of Umuawulu, Onowu Umuawulu, the Igwe in-council, the President General and the entire Umuawulu community cordially invite you to Iwa Ji Umuawulu 2023 holds today Saturday, September 30, 2023, at Obu Igwe, Eziechee, Umuenu, Umuawulu, Awka South Council area at 10:00am.
Ahead of the festival today, an all night praise and worship held yesterday Friday, September 29, 2023. It featured guest speakers such as Rev Tochukwu Ubaezeonu and Evangelist Dr. Jerry Afam Mba. Sister Oge Nweke of the “Phone m Akuwakwala” fame was the guest artiste.
We are grateful to God Almighty for a bountiful harvest.
Written by HIGH CHIEF AZUBUIKE EKWEOZOR
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