The New Yam Festival (Iwa Ji or Iri Ji) is one of the most important Igbo cultural celebrations, marking the end of the farming season and the harvest of new yams. Held annually between August and October, the festival honors Ifejioku (yam deity) and Ani/Ala (earth goddess). No one may eat the new yam until after the ceremony, when the eldest man offers yams to ancestors and deities. The festival features masquerade displays, traditional dances, wrestling competitions, and feasting. Each community celebrates on different dates according to their traditions. The festival reinforces community bonds, cultural identity, and gratitude for agricultural bounty. It has evolved to include contemporary elements while preserving ancient rituals, making it a living tradition connecting past and present.


HARVEST OF GRATITUDE:
The New Yam Festival (Iwa Ji/Iri Ji) unites Igbo communities in thanksgiving for bountiful harvests. Elders perform ritual yam slicing, pouring palm wine libations to honour ancestors and earth deities.

COMMUNAL CELEBRATION:
Masquerades like Mmanwu dance through squares, accompanied by flute ensembles, oja drummers, and ekwe slit drums. Wrestling bouts, storytelling, and art exhibitions highlight communal strength and cultural pride.

DIASPORA CONNECTIONS:
Igbo associations in the US, UK, and Caribbean host parallel celebrations, reinforcing identity across continents. Culinary showcases teach younger generations about pounded yam, ofe nsala, and uli art.

MODERN INTERPRETATIONS:
Governors integrate agricultural fairs, youth pitch competitions, and climate-smart farming workshops. The festival becomes a platform to discuss food security and value-chain innovation.

FAST FACTS:
- Timing: August–October, varying by community.
- Key rituals: ofo staff blessing, yam barn inspection, kolanut breaking.
- Attire: isiagu tops, george wrappers, coral beads.
- Symbolism: yam = king of crops, representing wealth and perseverance.