By Sunny Idika
Ndi Ibe Ohafia Development Union, Abuja Branch rolled out the drum to celebrate this year’s new yam festival hosted by the CEO of Infinitum Limited, Arc. Ifeanyi Idika at the palatial home of the President of the Union, Abuja Branch, Mr. Joe Kalu Ibe.
The celebration, which was witnessed by indigenes and visitors, had Ndi Ibe sons and daughters across the various compounds trooped out to participate in the festival.
Popular traditional songs like the famous Ohafia War Dance, Ji ehele by Paulson Kalu was used to entertain guests.
In his speech, the President of NDU Abuja Branch, Mr. Joe Kalu Ibe, said that the event was put together to celebrate God’s blessings and guidance upon members of the community in Abuja and at home.
According to him, as laid down by our tradition and culture, the celebration of New Yam affords Ndi Ibe people the opportunity to come together to thank God for a fruitful harvest.
“The event was designed to showcase the rich culture of our people and God’s blessings upon our lives.
“This will help others to know that we have rich cultural background that dated back to several centuries before the advent of the white man,” he said.
Mr Ibe, a known philanthropist, described Yam as king of crops, adding that its harvest season worth to be celebrated.
He said that the occasion was put together to help deepen mutual understanding about the culture and tradition of Ndi Ibe Ohafia, especially those living in Abuja.
“The occasion is important to us in Abuja, as it will give us the opportunity to interact with our brothers, sisters and children, showcasing our rich culture to them.
“Ndi Ibe sons and daughters, who do not have the privilege to travel home to witness the event, will now be able to enjoy it here in Abuja,” he added.
The host of today’s event, Arch. Ifeanyi Idika commended members of the community for the synergy and mutual understanding amongst members of NDU Abuja Branch.
Also speaking during the event, a prominent son of the community in Abuja Branch, Mr. Kalu Idika Okwara said the essence of the celebration of new yam festival in Ohafia is to thank God for a bountiful harvest.
He also encouraged members of the union to continue to work hard towards the development of the community, Ohafia, Abia State and Nigeria at large.
NEW YAM FESTIVAL
New Yam Festival is one of the traditional and cultural festivities Ohafia people in Abia State do not play with, and without performing this festival as group or individual, no full-fledged or mature man eats new yam in Ohafia communities.
The festival is done at community level first and then well placed individuals now takes queue to celebrate their own with members of families and friends, thereby kicking off the eating of new yam in the families that participated in the ceremony, whether you have money to celebrate with others or not.
Sometimes, individuals who participated at the community level, do not bother to celebrate it at family level, may be due to lack of money or time.
But the good thing is that once involved at any level, where it is celebrated, such a person or people can go ahead with his family to start eating new yam.
In most families in Igbo land, wives and children can start eating new yam, without the men or heads of the families joining them.
This is because the men regard it as an abomination to eat new yam without celebrating it, whether in high or low key, with his ancestors.
During the period, libation are poured by the celebrant to his ancestors and forefathers and fathers, with some traditional activities that involves throwing on the ground some part of the nee yam for the ancestors to participate in eating.
See photos below:
