BEKWARRA PEOPLE AND THE IPEM-IHIHE FESTIVAL

The Ipem-Ihihe is the New Yam Festival of Bekwarra people of Northern Cross River State. Bekwarra is a tribe of people domiciled in a 306 sq2 of land mass with unique and rich cultural practices like every other tribe in the paradise state.
With a population of about 150,000 (2006 census), it boasts as one of the most populated local government area in the state. The Bekwarrians (as stylishly called) are generally warm, welcoming, and accommodating.

Primaril[b][/b][/b][b][b][/b][b][/b]y, the source of income of the Bekwarra people is largely based on agriculture. The people cultivate food crops for consumption and commercial purposes. This helps in keeping the economy afloat. Food crops in the list are Anankere (Groundnut), Achaka (Potatoes), Ebechie (Cocoyam), Ologo (Cassava), Iguam (Plantain), Ashi (Ground pea), Igeh (Wateryam), Ikuru (Maize), Anang (Beneseed), Achu (Pepper), and of course, Ipem (Yam).

The feast of Ipem Ihihe is a single day ceremony that is celebrated on first Saturday of September every year. It is primarily aimed at celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the Bekwarra people and the King of crops. Because of the people’s believe that yam remains the king of all crops in the land (Odey, P. O. (2014, p2), the celebration of new yam at harvest is often accompanied by ceremonies that is made of traditional rites and customary practices.

Prior to the emergence and ubiquity of Christianity and other modern system, a day before the main festival, sacrifices of thanksgiving are offered to the ancestors and gods of harvest, for a bountiful harvest and prosperous season. The ritual is being carried out by family heads and guests are not invited to attend. In this practice, an elder or village head kills the sacrificed animal and sprinkles the blood on the community idol or symbol giving thanks to the gods and spirits for the role they played throughout the planting season, to the period of harvest (Omagu, p22).

On the feast day, the head of each household boils a tuber of yam, marsh it, mixed with palm oil, get a handful and raise above his head about three times and sprinkles it at different points around the compound (Ojeka, O, 14/10/2015). This indicates that the community deities must be the first to consume the newly harvested yam and then set the path for the living. After this is done, the head of the house provides the biggest cock and slaughter for the feast.
Gallons of palm wine are also made available for consumption.

However, due to the advent of Christianity and the colonialism of Bekwarra land, the traditional and ritual celebration of the Ipem-Ihihe feast is gradually corroding. The Ipem-Ihihe feast is now commonly practiced in church, especially by the Roman Catholics. Bekwarra Christians offer Yams as sacrifices in a thanksgiving ceremony in the Christian Church and hold a feast of Celebration to thank God for a fruitful harvest.

This doesn’t completely erode the culture, as a celebration (without ritual) that is modern is still hosted every festive day and guests are invited to attend in the Local government headquarters, Abuochiche. This is more modern and has absolute nothing to do with the ritual rites that was practiced those days. In this occasion, the items on the agenda includes: Cultural parade, traditional dance competition, award for best yam farmer of the year, best palm wine tapper, traditional music performance by local Bekwarra artistes, beauty contests (Mr. & Miss Ipem-Ihihe), masquerade display, parade of Bekwarra cuisines etc.

It is also a known fact in the Bekwarra culture that this season – the Ipem-Ihihe season, is the most generous season for any Bekwarra son and daughter. Village heads often preach the purpose of this feast as a day to shower love - giving to your neighbor, friends and other people around you. This is also regarded as part of the traditional practice of the Ipem-Ihihe festival.


The socio-cultural impact of the feast of Ipem-Ihihe cannot be overemphasized. Odey (2014, p5) rightly argued that the new yam festival has earned a place up high on the tourism agenda of the paradise state. The beauty of the
cultural content of the people is exhibited.

The feast also serves as a thin line that connects traditional community leaders, political leaders and the village people together.
The cultural heritage of Nigeria is preserved in the state.

According to G. Olofu, Bekwarra cultural identity and the rich cultural heritage in the land can also be preserved, sustained, and promoted through individual moral attachment to the principle that upheld our history and culture.


© Bright Okuta
...........................
Bright is a Writer and Journo with Chronicle Media, Abuja; a Graphic Artist and Economic Analyst. You can reach him on Twitter “@okutabrightest”

References:

- Agbo O, Age: 61, Trader, Ijibo Village, Oral Interview, 20/12/2015.2.

- Agricultural Celebration in Nigeria: A Look into the Feast of Ipem-Ihihe in Bekwarra Land by Godwin Olofu.

- Abua, T. Age: 67, Farmer, Anyikang Village, Oral Interview, 22/12/2015.3.

- Agene Ushie, Farmer, Age: 67, Ububa Village, Oral Interview, 14/09/2015.8.

- Enare, E, Age:64, Farmer,Anyikang Village, Oral Interview, 30/12/2015