(TT) – Celebrating the New Yam Festival is a feast of Culture and Tradition, one of its kinds ever in Rwanda
Celebrating the New Yam Festival is a feast of Culture and Tradition, one of its kinds ever in Rwanda organized by the Igbo community in Rwanda. The festival was honored with the presence of dignitaries. The festival which was the first ever in Rwanda organized by the “Iri ji festival” committee headed by Mr Emmanuel Uche (Onye Ndu ndi Igbo in Rwanda) was a huge success with different cultural dances and masquerade that made the festival memorable.
The new yam festival
The New Yam Festival, traditionally referred to as Iri ji among the Igbo people of Nigeria, is a distinguished annual cultural event that marks the beginning of the harvest season. It is a celebration that extends beyond agricultural practice, embodying gratitude, unity, and the preservation of cultural identity.
Origins and Significance
The festival is deeply rooted in the traditions of the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria. Yams are regarded as the “king of crops” and symbolize wealth, hard work, and fertility. The New Yam Festival serves as a time to thank the gods and ancestors for a bountiful harvest, while also seeking blessings for the farming season ahead.
It usually takes place between August and October, varying by community, and coincides with the first harvest of yams. Until the festival is celebrated, eating new yams is traditionally forbidden.
Rituals and Traditions
The New Yam Festival is inaugurated through solemn rituals led by traditional authorities—often the king (Igwe or Obi), titled chiefs, or priests. The foremost ritual involves the ceremonial cutting and sharing of the first yam, signifying the community’s collective gratitude and heralding the commencement of feasting.
Subsequent activities highlight the vibrancy of Igbo cultural heritage:
- Traditional performances including masquerades (mmanwu) and dance troupes.
- Music and drumming, featuring instruments such as the ogene (gong) and ekwe (wooden slit drum).
- Wrestling matches, symbolizing valor and communal solidarity.
- Culinary exhibitions, wherein yam is prepared in multiple forms—roasted, pounded, boiled, or fried—to be shared across households.
Social and Communal Importance
Beyond food and its ritual dimension, the festival functions as a unifying force. It draws together members of the community, including those who reside outside their ancestral homeland, reinforcing bonds of kinship and identity. It also provides an avenue for transmitting cultural values, oral traditions, and indigenous practices to younger generations
Contemporary Relevance
In the modern era, the New Yam Festival has transcended its traditional framework to become a platform for cultural tourism. Communities often incorporate exhibitions, parades, and fairs, attracting visitors from within Nigeria and abroad. This evolution underscores the festival’s dual role as both a cultural observance and an economic opportunity for host communities. The new yam festival in Rwanda is testament to Igbos’ cultural heritage that shines anywhere in the world
Conclusion
The New Yam Festival is more than a harvest feast—it is a celebration of life, gratitude, and cultural pride. It reminds us of the deep connection between people and the land, and the importance of giving thanks for abundance. Whether experienced in a bustling city or a quiet village square, the festival remains a colorful testament to the resilience and unity of the Igbo people.
