Yam is a very important food crop in Igboland. Evidence of
this is in the cultural significance attached to New Yam
festival " iri ji" in Igbo land.
The traditional Igbo society is mainly Agrarian. Emphasis
is placed on farming and the cultivation of sufficient food to
last until the next food harvest. Special emphasis is
especially placed on yam cultivation. The traditional Igbo
man takes pride in showing off his yam barn neatly stacked
with yam tubers from top to bottom. It signifies wealth and
success.
In the days of old, a common question asked by a bride’s
father when a young man signifies his intention to marry
his daughter is “how big is your yam barn”? A big yam barn
means the man is hardworking and can take care of his
daughter.
The iriji (new yam) festival is a time of thanksgiving to the
gods for making the farm yields possible and praying for
good yields for the next planting season.
The Iriji festival is celebrated at different times within the
various Igbo communities, varying from August until
October every year.
The solemn role of eating the first yam is performed by the
oldest man or Eze: traditional ruler - different Igbo
communities have different names for their traditional
rulers - of the community. It is believed within the
traditional communities that their position bestows on them
the privilege of being intermediaries between their
communities and the gods of the land. Infact, many
traditionalists and title-holders in Igbo land will not taste
the new yam until the day that is traditionally set aside for
that purpose.
At the Iriji festival, only dishes of yam are served. The
oldest man or the traditional ruler is normally the first
person to eat the new yam and thereafter every other
person can eat.
The Iriji festival is associated by feasting, dancing and
merry making. There is also a spectacular display of
Masquerades of all shapes and Sizes. They appear in all
corners with the highest Intensity of dance and display in
the market square to the excitement of the Crowd.
In primordial times, masquerades were believed to be
spiritual elements that specially reincarnate into human
forms for the purpose of celebrating the new yam festival. It
signifies the approval of the gods in the celebration. Thus
communities venerate and indeed fear these spirits for their
own safety. Uninitiated members of the community are
expected to run away from the masquerades on sight or
risk being cursed by them with devastating consequences.
Stories are rife within Igbo communities of persons who
were cursed by masquerades and suffered terrible
diseases. Arondizuogu (a notable Igbo community) is
famous for its Ikeji festival and powerful masquerades with
magical powers.
The new yam festival is an event that should be seen by
every Igbo son and daughter. It is an epitome of the beauty
of Igbo culture. A great Site to behold!

Proudly Igbo! buh I hate yam now..

Am proud igbo man,christain but I must repect our culture though am not in my land for now but I will not eat new yam untill aug.20th

Ohhhh Yam

How Yummmy!!!!