The Grand Finale of Ojiji Izzi 2017 culture has been variously described as th totality of people’s way of life such as type food, cloth or dress, talk, agricultural partu conduct etc. Some view culture as a framewor of behavioural patterns, values, assumption and experiences shared by a social group.
In Igboland and among the Igbo Nigeria , the month of August every year i always momention as it is associated wit festivities especially that of new yam festival. I Izzi clan of Ebonyi State, South East of Nigeri the month of August is a month which eve Izzi man, woman, old and young earnestly an fervently prays for. This is because the mont of August is gladdened with the celebration new yam festival variously called Iriji Ohur Iwa ji, Ikeji, oke aku etc but popularly calle Ojiji Izzi or “Eri ji ophu”.
It is pertinent to note that the specie of people called Izzi clan occupy three harg and thickly populated local government areas the present Ebonyi State and other neighbourin states like Cross River and Benue States. Th Ojiji Izzi is the most popular and wide celebrated social cultural activity known to Iz clan both at home and Diaspora.
In Izzi land, as apparently in oth areas of Igboland, yam is considered the king all crops and a divine gift from God. Thi accounts for why an Izzi man treats yam wit great measure of sanctity and sacrosanct. I Izzi land, anybody or group of persons wh desecrates the yam is customarily required t appease the yam and placated the land so a not to incur the wrath of the yam and Go whose consequences are usually gravious an catastrophic. This also accounts for the reaso an average Izzi man dedicate a special place i his compound for the establishment of a bar “Objai” for the preservation and storage yams. The Barn which is commonly known a Obaji is usually positioned strategically t attract and arrest the interest and admiration both the owner and visitors alike. It is also f this singular reason that a typical Izzi ma erects a small hut inside the barn called “Er Oba” or obi where the man stays and keep surveillance of his barn and the entir compound. There is also a provision for a s out in front of the barn with a local shade canopy called “mkpu” constructed with pal fronds, Indian bamboo and sticks with tie-ti The place is called “Okpoku” convergence poi for the family. It is also under that shade that great farmer takes his title ranging from Akw lepfi and Jioke tille respectively. A great farm in Izzi land who has accomplished tremendo farm adventures and escapades would h leveraged to take such tittles like Oko Ji Onyibe Ji, Ojelegu I, Ovu Ji acho ali, Oko ngel azulabo among others. The barn is als significant and symbolic are in labour woul rush to the barn for delivery and the chil would he named Nwoba or Obaji or Nwulegu a the case may be.
Essentially, this year’s new yam festiv Ojiji Izzi 2017 which is an annual event is use to mark the end of a yam farming cycle and th beginning of another farming season which i usually characterized by thanksgivin almsgiving, prayers, pouring of libatio compound cleaning, visitation to In-laws an relatives, communal road constructio circumcision, age grade initiation, peace an reconciliation, clearing of pathways to the loc streams/rivers and ultimately showcasing o the cosmological values of Izzi clan.
The Ojiji Izzi festival presents an offers both indigenes and strangers alike th ample opportunities of relishing and savourin our local delicacies and relies like pounded ya “Nri ji” with “Esusa” soup banished, Ukpo, drie Okro, Akpurata Oku.