The New Yam Festival (in Igbo: Iri-ji or Iwa ji) is named after the most common and important food crop in Nigeria. According to All-Africa, 'yam' in Igbo cosmology, is regarded as the king of crops. It symbolizes also the virile qualities of a successful man, prowess, progress and prosperity.
The New Yam Festival is a harvest festival by the Igbo people celebrated annually at the end of the rainy season (beginning of August). This culturally rich festival symbolises the end of harvest, the abundance of the produce and the beginning of the next work cycle.
Yam - Vegetable (Wikipedia) Yam porridge (All Nigerian Recipes)
Traditionally, all the previous year's yams (now regarded as old) are consumed or discarded weeks or days before the festival. Only yam dishes from the current harvest are served during and after the festival. To read more about this festival, click here.
The Eze Igbo of Lagos State, Eze Nwabueze Ohazulike, in his address during the New Yam Festival 2011 at Obi Ndigbo in Lagos, said the new yam festival had remained one of the strongest vehicles for the preservation of Igbo cultural identity in the country and in the diaspora. (All Africa)
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Event
This October, ICSN, a UK networking non-profit organisation for young adults of Nigerian Igbo descent that was founded in 1998 by Umunne Olie as a forum to empower young Igbo people will be hosting the Nigerian Igbo Cultural Festival Iri-ji at Hackney London.
ICSN - Igbo Cultural Support Network
"We are passionate about our rich cultural heritage and are committed to enhancing cultural awareness amongst Ndi-Igbo and friends of Igbo land. ICSN provides the opportunity for young people to learn about their culture, build professional and social relationships and to support one another in every aspect of life."
To find out more about ICSN, Click the links below:
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