Hello blurt world, I hope we are doing great this week, I will like to tell you guys about the New Yam Festival celebrated in Nigeria, Africa, However it is important to state that there over 250 Ethnic groups in Nigeria each with its own religious and cultural festival, examples of this festival include;
i. The Eyo Festival
ii. Argungun Fishing Festival
iii. Calabar Carnival
iv. Ofoala Festival to mention but a few
However as a member of the Igbo Ethnic group I will be discussing about my favorite festival in our culture which is the Iri Ji Ohuru or New Yam Festival.

Iri Ji Ohuru or New Yam Festival

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In Igbo Culture Yam is the King of all Foods and this is why it is accorded great respect and has a festival to celebrate it's importance to the socio-cultural life of the Igbo People. This is why the Igbo People celebrate the New Yam Festival. Iri Ji Ohuru is an annual cultural festival celebrated by the Igbos of the South Eastern part of Nigeria. Yams are the first set of crops planted during the planting season.

Prior to the colonial era Yam was a sacred crop which only men were allowed to cultivate hence titles like Di Ji were taken by a person who has an enormous Yam Barn. This festival is celebrated to mark the end of the planting season usually in early August to October every year. This festival can be celebrated in a day or for weeks. According to tradition no mature adult male is allowed to eat New Yam without celebrating the New Yam Festival but this is no longer a common practice due to socio-economic activities and modernization.

This festival is usually celebrated at the communal level. Also Individuals in their own capacity celebrate with family members and friends to kick start the eating of New Yam. Before the festival is celebrated a Council of Elders headed by the Igwe(King) meet to decide a date for the festival. Once a date is fixed other activities in preparation for the New Year festival follows suit. These activities are usually dictated by long old traditions handed down from one generation to another.

During the pre colonial era sacrifices were offered to the Earth goddess Ani or Ala thanking her for a bountiful harvest. This ritual is performed by the oldest man in the community or the King. This person also offers yam to the gods and ancestors.

The New Yam Festival is a very big festival celebrated all over Igbo land, this festival can last for days or weeks bringing communities together and is an opportunity to showcase the custom and tradition of the Igbos. The local chiefs and elders as well as titled men gather in the community town square to celebrate this great event.

Several local yam delicacies like Pounded Yam or Ji Asuru asu which goes well with Egwusi, Nsala or Ogbono Soup,

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Roasted Yamand Palm Oil or Mmanu nri garnished with onions, pepper, oil bean and boys of roasted fish are feasted on.

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Masquerades or Mmanwu brighten up the occasion with their colourful outfit and acrobatic moves and dances, they are believed to be spirits from the underworld.

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Friends and families from far and near gather together to make merry. It is an event that showcases the rich culture of my people, it unites us together.