Iri Ji Ohuru, the New Yam Festival, is a significant cultural event celebrated by the Igbo people of Nigeria. This annual festival marks the harvest of the new yam crop, a staple food in Igbo culture. It’s a time of thanksgiving, joy, and community bonding.
The festival typically takes place in the late summer or early autumn, depending on the region. This falls mostly in August. The celebration begins with a series of rituals and prayers to the gods, seeking blessings for a bountiful harvest. The new yams are then prepared in various delicious dishes, often served alongside other traditional delicacies.
Iri Ji Ohuru is not just a culinary celebration but also a social occasion. Families and friends gather to share meals, dance, and engage in traditional games. The festival is often accompanied by cultural performances, such as masquerades and music.
Beyond the festivities, the new yam symbolizes fertility, abundance, and prosperity. It’s believed that consuming the new yam brings good luck and blessings for the coming year. The festival serves as a reminder of the Igbo people’s deep connection to the land and their gratitude for the natural resources that sustain them.
Omenma Hotels proudly supports the age old tradition and wishes all that attended a safe return to their places of work.
