The New Yam Festival of the Igbo people is an annual cultural festival by the Igbo people that is held at the end of the rainy season between early August and late September
The Iri ji festival (literally “new-yam eating”) is practiced throughout West Africa (especially in Nigeria and Ghana) and other African countries and beyond, symbolizing the conclusion of a harvest and the beginning of the next work cycle. The celebration is very culturally based occasion, tying individual Igbo communities together as essentially agrarian and dependent on yam, the king of crops.
Yams are among the first set of crops to be planted at the beginning of the planting season. Between April and August, early crops such as maize, cocoyams, and pumpkins are harvested and eaten without fanfare. The New Yam Festival is, therefore, a celebration depicting the prominence of yam in the social-cultural life of the Igbo people. In some Igbo communities, all old yams (from the previous year’s crop) must be consumed or discarded on the eve of the New Yam Festival. The next day, only dishes of yam are served at the feast, as the festival is symbolic of the abundance of the produce.
Though the style and methods may differ from one community to the next, the essential components that make up the festival remain the same.
In some communities, the celebration lasts a whole day, while in many places it may last a week or more. These festivities normally include a variety of entertainments and ceremonies, including the performance of rites by the Igwe (King), or the eldest man, and cultural dances by Igbo men, women, and their children. The festival features Igbo cultural activities in the form of contemporary shows, masquerade dances, and fashion parades.
Amakpu – Agbani Autonomous community, in Agbani clan is one of the Autonomous communities that make up Agbani.
Agbani is located in Nkanu West Local Government area of Enugu State, Nigeria. It is home to the Eke Market and several institutions of learning such as the Nigerian Law School, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Renaissance University, Eagle Flight Schools, Mea Mater School, Airforce School among others. It is the home town of Dr Chimaroke Nnamani, a former executive governor of Enugu State.
Some of the infrastructural amenities that made Agbani one of the urban areas in the state include presence of commercial Banks, churches, newly constructed building material market, the ultramodern international standard basketball academy (THE LION’S DEN) recently built by the Nnaji family foundation, the local government secretariat, good road network which has been boasted by the recent ones attracted by Hon Nnolim Nnaji member representing Nkanu East/West federal constituency, We also thank The Lions Den, “an international standard Basketball Academy” Family Foundation.
The New yam festival is a part of the annual ORIRI ANI that last as long as one full month. The oriri-ani is a celebration that marks the end of the planting season and welcomes the harvest season. Agbani clan, Akpugo and other Nkanu people hold the event simultenously. The ceremony is of great importance to the the Nkanu people.
This years event as being organized by the wonderful people of Amakpu-Agbani both at home and abroad. will be very outstanding. The New yam festival will hold on the 24th day of September 2022 at the Agbani town hall field opposite the NVU AMAKPU VILLAGE SQUARE.
The organizers of the annual event amongst whom are Ikechukwu Nnamani (Nze Akunnai Mota Agbani. Diaspora) have promised to make sure that this years event will be memorable.
Activities include and not limited to- Traditional iwa ji, cultural dances, Masquerades, Wrestling and lots more. Friends, Inlaws and the general public are cordially invited to this event that is tagged – MAKA ODINA NMA AMAKPU.
The community also appreciates the efforts of her illustrious sons/daughter like Okechukwu Nnaji, – Agbabalu Enyi Onya nke mbu na Enugu State. Diaspora, Ikechukwu Nnamani Akunnia mota na Agbani & diaspora, Ijeoma Nnamani, Nzekwe Nnaji, and many others whose efforts are of great importance to the event.
EDEANI CHIDOZIE
EFI NA EWEGHO ODU 1
