How Ikem communities celebrate New Yam festival (ORUROEZHI)

By Dennis Agbo New Yam Festival is one of the most important and unifying cultural festivals celebrated in Ikem and by extension, throughout Igbo land. It is a significant annual event that brings together the sons and daughters of the community from different parts of the world. In-laws, friends, and well-wishers also return to celebrate this unique cultural heritage.

Last week, communities that make up Ikem-Asokwa in Isi-Uzo Council Area of Enugu State celebrated theirs, called Oruroezhi. A custodian of the community tradition, Engr. Ifebuche Nnamani narrated to SEV that the New Yam Festival in Ikem is traditionally celebrated on the last Afor Sunday (Uka-Afor) of every July, but that in years when there is only one Uka-Afor in July, the festival is observed on the first Uka Afor of the month.

Nnamani said that the festival lasts for three to four consecutive days, beginning on Friday, which is Eke market day; a day that some traditional worshippers harvest their first yams and offer them to their respective deities as a sign of thanksgiving. Before the yam harvest on Saturday, every household is expected to ensure that its compound is properly cleaned. Any remaining old yams are brought outside in anticipation of the arrival of the new harvest.

Traditionally, no one is expected to harvest new yams before the commencement of the New Yam Festival in Ikem-Asokwa. There was, however, a recent uproar over the Church’s harvest of yams before the traditional date for the New Yam Festival. But SEV learned that even the clergy in the community have agreed to respect the traditional dates of the community celebration before the Church’s blessing of the new yams.

Nnamani further narrated that Saturday, Orie market day, is devoted primarily to the public harvesting and marketing of new yams, when farmers harvest their crops, and those with substantial yields transport them to the market for sale. On that day, no other farm produce, including old yams, is allowed to be sold along the section designated for the sale of new yams. This practice symbolizes the honour and respect accorded to yam, which is regarded as the king of all farm crops.

People from neighbouring communities and towns usually visit the market to purchase new yams. Some buyers also purchase them as gifts for their loved ones. At the end of the sales, the festival’s organising committee announces the …