₦airaland Forum

Little details make events feel even more special.

Recently worked on these customized liquid soap souvenirs with different scents, colors, and labels for a celebration, and I honestly love how neat they turned out.

Useful keepsakes will always have a different feel compared to regular souvenirs.

When you view, drop a comment.
Let's push this to frontpage.
Igbo cultural content deserve a frontpage.

If the government invest in the culture of the people,it creates a people with strong esteem who will always work towards progressiveness and common wealth.
An example of what I mean is China

Anyway I'm saying Al this to tell Ndigbo that they should make New yam festival, aka Ikeji, Iri Ji ọhụrụ/ọvuru , a unified nationwide festival across all states and communities that identify as Igbo .
It should be a symbol of identity to travel to honour your ancestors, your land and the bountiful harvest from the land.

Ikeji is actually like the Igbo New year 🎊 and should be treated with much importance as Christmas and co.

Ohaneze Ndigbo should make this happen.
It is possible.

....
Jecint nwa Uzoeru

Happy Ikeji to every son and daughter of the Igbo blood.

Do you know that in the past years, during the month of July/August, Igbos travel from far and wide to attend the festival of the new Yam (Iri Ji ọhụrụ/ Ikeji) in their various communities?

How is it celebrated in your community?
What rituals are done?
...

What is the Ikeji Festival?

The Ikeji is the annual celebration of the new yam harvest by the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria. It is a Thanksgiving festival that marks the end of one farming cycle and the beginning of another. It is arguably the most important and widely celebrated cultural festival in Igboland, symbolizing life, prosperity, and the community's gratitude to the gods and ancestors.

The name varies by dialect:

· Ikeji is prominent in the Arondizuogu area of Imo State, Ohazora , Afikpo and Íshíagụ communities of Ebonyi State and other communities in Enugu and Abịa.
· Iri Ji (Eating Yam) or Iri Ji Ohuru (Eating New Yam) is common in many places.
· Iwa Ji (Cutting Yam) is also widely used.

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Significance and Meaning

The festival is much more than a feast; it is laden with cultural, spiritual, and social meaning:

1. Thanksgiving and Gratitude: It is first and foremost an act of thanksgiving to Chukwu/Chineke (the Supreme God), Ala (the Earth deity), and the ancestors for a bountiful harvest and successful farming season. It is believed that these divine forces provided the rain, fertility, and protection needed for the crops to grow.
2. Celebration of Life and Fertility: The yam (ji) is not just a staple food; it is a sacred symbol of life, sustenance, and prosperity. A good yam harvest signifies growth, abundance, and the continuation of life for the community.
3. Cultural Identity and Heritage: The festival reinforces Igbo identity. It is a time to showcase cultural values, traditions, language, art, music, and dance, passing them from one generation to the next.
4. New Beginning and Purification: The festival marks a transition. Before the new yams are eaten, the old yams from the previous year must be finished. The community purifies itself through rituals, ushering in the new year with cleanliness and moral renewal. Taboos are broken, and conflicts are often resolved during this period.
5. Social Cohesion: It is a powerful tool for unity. Families reunite, communities come together, and the diaspora often returns home to celebrate. It strengthens kinship and social bonds.

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Key Rituals and Activities

The celebration spans several days and involves a series of events:

· Cleaning and Preparation: Homes and communities are thoroughly cleaned. New clothes are bought (often traditional attire like Isiagu tops for men and beautiful blouses/wraps for women).
· The Ritual Offering (The Most Important Part):
· On the eve or the morning of the festival, the eldest man or the traditional ruler (Eze) of the community performs the core ritual.
· He offers prayers and thanks to the gods and ancestors.
· He sacrifices a rooster or a goat, and the blood is sprinkled on the symbolic yams and the Ofo (a sacred staff symbol of truth and authority).
· He is the first to taste the new yam, after which it is declared that the community can now eat the new harvest.
· Feasting (The Feast of the New Yam): After the rituals, an elaborate feast begins. The new yams are prepared in various ways:
· Ji Miri: Boiled yam, often served with rich palm oil sauce containing pepper, utazi leaves, and fish (like stockfish or smoked fish).
· Yam Porridge
· Pounded Yam (though this is less common as it's labor-intensive for a large feast)
· Merrymaking and Entertainment:
· Music and Dance: Traditional music from instruments like the Igba (drum), Opi (flute), and Ichaka (gourd rattles) fills the air. Masquerades (Mmanwu) of different types, representing ancestral spirits, come out to entertain, discipline, and perform.
· Cultural Displays: Age grades, women's associations, and dance troupes perform.
· Communal Eating: Large gatherings are held in village squares or the Eze's compound where people eat, drink palm wine, and celebrate together.
· Honoring Achievements: Some communities use the occasion to honor illustrious sons and daughters who have contributed to the community's development.

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When is it Celebrated?

The timing is not fixed on the Gregorian calendar but is determined by the Igbo lunar calendar and the agricultural cycle. It typically falls between July,August and October, at the end of the rainy season when the yams are fully harvested. The exact date is set by the council of elders and traditional rulers in each community, so it can vary from one village to another.
However, it must be on an Eke day.
(Personal opinion: Ohaneze Ndigbo should be setting a nation wide date for the festival yearly)

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Modern Adaptations

While the core traditions remain, the festival has evolved:

· Tourism: It has become a major tourist attraction. States like Enugu and Ebonyi host large, state-sponsored festivals to promote culture and tourism.
· Diaspora Celebration: Igbo communities in the USA, UK, and other parts of the world now organize their own New Yam Festivals to maintain cultural ties.
· Christian Influence: In many communities, the traditional rituals have been incorporated into or replaced by a Thanksgiving church service, after which the cultural festivities commence.

In summary, the Ikeji/Iri Ji Ohuru is a vibrant, profound festival that sits at the heart of Igbo culture. It is a powerful expression of gratitude, community, and the enduring spirit of the Igbo people.m Festival, commonly referred to as Ikeji, Iri Ji Ohuru, or Iwa Ji.

Tinubu to Nigerians: Reason with me, if I no get today, I no get am tomorrow. Abi you want make I die 😂😂

Tinubu to Nigerians: Reason with me, of I no get today, I ho get am tomorrow. Abi you want make I die 😂😂

If it is original groundnut oil, then go ahead but if it is all these "vegetable oils" in the market, please run for your life. They're worse than red palm oil and very bad for your health. It's better you stick to palm oil.

It's been a while here and yo, I need this post taken care of.

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Nairaland is full of bitter soul unintelligent souls, tueh!

A Content creator is needed in Port Harcourt for onsite job.

Skills:
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Mods : Pls I posted here for quick response

Nigeria democracy is government by my people and for my people

ijustdey:
https://leadership.ng/2-weeks-to-go-buhari-appoints-new-security-adviser/

Popesuccess:
I want know the difference because there is this friend of mine that says he loves his wife but he is not in love with her. Is there any difference between the two?

This might mean he likes the idea of her being his wife, perhaps her beauty or character or commitment or what other reasons. He's definitely ready to provide for her and play the role of a husband. But she doesn't cause him to have butterflies in the stomach or that childish joy of being in love.

I'm a year older than him and we're cool. I'm 23 btw.
So there's nothing actually wrong if the age gap isn't so much. What more important is that you both share same views on life and ready to grow together.

Over mumu dey worry you

Pochettino:
I don't blame the man.
We women need to produce more men not weak females.

AFCTA was just adopted less than 3 years ago, give it time.

Hpesoj:
Unfortunately, this is just a wishful thinking. To start with, it will be very difficult for Africa to ditch dollars for a africa-centric currency for several reasons including the fact that more than two-third of our export is made up of primary products with and our manufacturing capacity and output is unfortunately poor. Look at the eco currency of ECOWAS, how far were we able to go about it? The West African Franc was able to work for obvious reasons.

Moreover, intra-African trade is very low. In a recent study I was working on, my search for intra-African trade statistics revealed that intra-ECOWAS trade is less than 15 percent. The adoption of AfFTA was not able to change the low intra-Africa trade since we basically export primary products which other African countries have and equally export. Our dependence on export from Europe, North America, China and India suggest we have to use the universal currency (dollars) or the country's currency. Either way, we not exporting manufactured goods means Africa will ave to dance to the tune of any county we depend on for import.

It's now you're talking, you've actually been suspecting her and your suspicions were just confirmed. The initial post didn't show she cheated

Megabig:
What exactly did she go then? I mean she travelled twice on vacation already without me because I’m busy with work. I made sure a relationship shouldn’t stop us from living our life’s. I can bet my penis it’s a man, she was on a video call in the bedroom once and when I walked it she ended the call, I didn’t ask who was that and she said her elder bro called on video. The elder bro she referenced i understand recently do no know how to use social media. I just moved on from the conversation so we don’t stress it all. So why lie?

Are you the horseband?

ETTTTUBRUTTE:
One thing that I have noticed among Nigerian women, Christian, Muslims, Non Affliates, all of them, is that:
They have no concept, they have no inkling, they have no clue, they have no idea of what marriage is all about.
All Nigerian women think that marriage is like Alice in Wonderland.
All you have to do is, find a man and get married to the man and that is it,
It would be happiness joy and smiling thereafter.

No No No.

Marriage in this modern day is full of PAINS.

There is nothing like Happy Marriage.
What we have is Manage Marriage. Then Happiness.
That is to say : Both of you should manage your marriage.
If you manage your marriage very well, then you will have Happiness.

Every marriage is unique.
Therefore, every marriage requires a unique management.

Don't come out into the open and start to talk rubbish about your husband.
You have your own flaws as well. As a woman you are Like a Pineapple.
You are full of Stings and Pins.
You are only going to be sweet if your husband peels you carefully.

I found out that a lot of women do not have a good Home Training concerning what a marriage is all about.

Let All of us should Go back home and work tirelessly at our marriage. All of us.

23 and still a virgin.
What's the big deal about not having sex?
I truly believe there are more people like me in both genders. Just that saying you're virgin or never done it makes you look naive (which isn't necessarily true, what are books for), makes you look religious and as if you're judging others who aren't virgins and makes you endangered (to rituals).
All you people arguing here, if you're truly interested in having more people who are virgins around, then stop judging people for being virgins (I can't remember how many times I have to make up stories of escapades just to fit in with others), I think there should even be a virgin pride organisation .

Thank you for the summary

Rest sir, a true Catholic won't be saying all these

Throwback:
This is the equivalent of making a congratulatory call.

If you were in doubt, know now that Tinubu's portraits will adorn all offices allover Nigeria from May 29th 2023.

Even the DSS cell where Nnamdi Kanu is chained to the floor, would have Tinubu's official portrait staring down at him to remind him that Big Brother is watching.


I will not be polite and would speak my mind.

Shame to all Igbos who peddled the Yoruba Muslim vs Yoruba Christian divide.

Me being a Catholic saw through your charade.

Shame on the sleeping Yorubas whose destiny my type defend here daily from the onslaught of those who hate you and what you have.

Shame on those in the Presidency who tried to scuttle the primary and electoral victory of their own party candidate.

A big round of applause for the Northern block that remained steadfast and reciprocated the goodwill of Tinubu.

To all political prostitutes and desperate ticket hunters, learn a lesson from Tinubu's organic candidacy that showed patience, loyalty, and perseverance.

You cannot reap where you did not sow.

When you have worked, you have every right to scream towards the heavens for justice that,

EMILOKAN!

Finally, never succumb to pressure to settle for a weak partner.

Atiku and Peter Obi got nothing from their running mates.

Tinubu got a running mate that guaranteed victory and unflinching support from the critical voting blocks of the North.

He knew it, we knew it, so his enemies made a mockery of him over it in a bid to damp its effect. Even my fellow Catholic Peter Obi and a Knight of St Gregory the Great, turned himself to a whimsical pentecostal that was looking for signs and wonders all over the Churches in Nigeria.

Confidence and Strategy drove 16years of planning by Tinubu, now the rain will fall on him to bless his consistency and hardwork.

Naija is now Lagos.

The City Boy heads to the Villa with his master plan close to his chest.

Lagos has come.

Not trying to be offensive, but why do you guys brawl about women everyday.
Women this , women that!

It is as if , in your subconscious , you know you can't do without women . Then in reality, you're taking 'red pills' in order to do away with women.
This is why when you were away, thegidredpillar, majority of them went on simping
Now , that you're back , they're hailing you
The truth is , the gospel of TRP is not engraved in their minds .

@thegidredpillar, if you truly want the advancement of your minions, then you should have more programs that help them improve themselves and become a better person- in this case, better men.
Not better for any woman, but better for themselves and their business.

Yes, you read right.
You will recall that I had mentioned, I recently started exploring the amazing powers of Whatsapp for small businesses.
We can all testify to the attention that Whatsapp is getting every dayto from its owners and how many business deals are closed on Whatsapp daily.
First, Whatsapp Business started allowing us to run Facebook Adverts from inside it.
Next, they increased the number in Whatsapp Group and Broadcast Lists.
Next, they added emojis to Whatsapp conversations
it into
Next, disappearing messages
See, even a blind man knows that Whatsapp is now a HOT BUSINESS TOOL and deserves your attention.
So, I bought a new phone, got a new SIM as my business Whatsapp.
For some years, I didn't try Whatsapp because the struggles with saving contacts and all the restrictions around Groups and Broadcast lists seemed totally unscalable for me.
But recently, a Nigerian guy built a cloud-based Whatsapp software called Wamation and it is a whole game-changer.
Wamation allows you to create what it calls Automations.
Automations are a flow of messages that are timed in between.
Let me explain- the first message goes immediately after someone fills a form and the next one goes in one minute, the next one goes in another one minute, and on and on.
I created a free training of 22 messages in an automation sequence using Wamation.out
Wamation also provides a landing page with a form embedded in it. Once people fill out set upthat form, they start getting Whatsapp messages from you.
It is very beautiful and you would love it.
You just set up your training using automation and anyone who lands on the landing page, fills the form, will go through his own training, even while you are sleeping or doing anything else.
Wamation is a cloud-based Whatsapp Automation Tool, so it is 1000 yards different and better than all those WhatsApp automation apps you have on your phone (please do not even dare to compare).
Wamation automatically saves contacts to Google Contacts, unlike all the rest.
Wamation will never cause your phone to hang because the data sits in the cloud, not your phone, unlike the others.
Wamation provides forms and landing pages, others do not.
Wamation allows me to click one button and send a broadcast to 10,000 people. Those other apps cannot do it. (No, Whatsapp wont ban you. Wamation planned an organized sequencing of the messages).
Wamation allow you send text, images, videos and even GIFs. Those other apps only accept text.
See Wamation is 1000 yards ahead. Lets just bow for this Naija guy that did it.
If you know you run a business where you want to:
1. Sometimes send broadcasts to your customers or prospects
2. Train a lot of people very easily on Whatsapp and include some nice images, your voice, and much more than text
3. Grow an engaged Whatsapp community
4. Replace or support your email list with better open rates
Just rush now and jump into Wamation.
Chioma only brings good and hot gist.
No dulling.
See Chioma that is a newbie in Whatsapp now has over 6000 contacts oo.
Follow the new road ooo.
Na Wamation we dey use oo


SEE LINK
https://wamation.com.ng/?ref=ff5d8cfe52

Some people are complaining about the price.
You can start with the #8000 per month plan.


Imagine this..
that you're able to generate leads, groomed them and. convert your leads to sales.


if you sell a cheap product of 1000, and you sell 5 per day, how much is that #5000 right?


This tool helps you to relate to your leads in a manner that makes them buy from you.

just like email marketing, when messaging your leads you address them by their first name or the name you save their number with.

you send bulk messages to more than 5000 contacts and each of them will receive it as though it is personal .

If you have gotten the software
how is the experience

NL is blocking the link
Remove one forward slash (/) and add
bit dot ly