Steemit Engagement Challenge Week 2 || Igbo New Yam Festival In Nigeria
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It is said that culture is indeed a way of life for all people that embrace it. a country like Nigeria has 36 states, 774 local government, 371 tribes, and 250 ethnic groups which speaks more than 500 languages and of which we have three (3) largest groups and they are, Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba. these are the largest group found in my country Nigeria. each ethnic group has its own culture and traditions and also there are two main religions in Nigeria, Christianity and Islam. so today I will be talking about a cultural festival often celebrated by one of the three largest groups. Igbo new tam festival.
Nigeria is blessed with different cultures and traditions, and the people tied to these cultures often create a day to celebrate a particular festival, and these festivals are annually done year in and year out. it is strongly believed that festivals bring people together and this is a time of merry and celebration but currently not all these festivals are celebrated again as though change is constant.
The Igbo people are majorly found in a state like Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and lastly Imo state. Igbo people are the second largest the found in the southeastern part of Nigeria, they have numerous festivals and also they have a way of life that is called a tradition. they are known for their basic lifestyle, art, dance, highlife music, and dressing attire. they are also known for their masquerade outfits that symbolized different meanings. during the stone era, the Igbo people were scattered across different communities and as such were not united as one until the 20th century when a call for ethnic identity was solidly brought forward and then the Igbo people made an advancement and took over the Eastern part of the country.
The traditional occupation of the Igbo people is farmer, they are well known for their wide cultivation of Yam, Cassava, Melon, Beans, and lots. but the men are responsible for yam cultivation. they are rich in palm kernels and palm oil as well.
The major important economy of the Igbo people are trading, wage labor, and local craft. also, many Igbo people are mostly entrepreneurs and businessmen.
Igbo people are well known for their various festivals and one of them is the popular new yam festival. this festival has a great influence on the Igbo people to the point that it has been tagged a holiday for the Igbo people to celebrate the festival in a grand style.
Majorly, this festival is often scheduled in early August as soon as the rainy season is over, and this is scheduled every year, and before the festival, it is considered an abomination to eat the new yam before the scheduled festival date. also, the yam is known to the Igbo people as their favorite food, they often cook the yam and eat it alongside palm oil. the new yam festival is also appreciated more by the Igbo people and as such, the value of that day is so much that no man goes out, businesses are considered closed on that day. they often dance and play their highlife music. people put on various attires in form of a masquerade and also people gather round in a place called the village square, where everyone will be present to celebrate with each other.
Two days is considered the day to celebrate the new yam festival by some people, and this festival often happens every six months after plating the yam. in this day rites are also performed to the yam spirit, kola nut is also made available to the be given to the yam spirit in appeal for it to help the farms in other to help the land become fertile for producing more yam for the people.
Livestock like fowls is also sacrificed to the yam spirit as offerings in other to listen to their appeal and bless their farms abundantly, in other for the people to get a bumper yam harvest. also, the partakers of this feast are just men as though they are liable for growing yam on their farm, and the food cooked that night is not to be taken by women, it is a belief among the Igbo people that women do not eat meals prepared for spirits then after one month after the festival people will begin to harvest this yam from their various farms.
CONCLUSION
The new yam festival is annually celebrated by the Igbo people, although some ethnic groups also fancy the new yam festival it is mostly celebrated by the Igbo people. also, various rites are performed to the yam spirit and this is because they believe that if this rite is performed they will be blessed with a bumper yam harvest. the new yam festival is mostly conducted at night in which females are not expected to attend such meetings as though it is prohibited.
There are many cultures and traditions in my country Nigeria which I have just talked about one among the numerous culture is the new yam festival of the Igbo people. thank you for your attention.
I just learnt more about the igbo new yam festival in Nigeria, I'm igbo but didn't grow up in that region. Never knew it happens every six months. Thank you for teaching me more about my culture. Great article @solexybaba
Thank you so much for your kind words, i have learned alot about your culture as though i have igbo people as friends, i really like your new yam festival celebration. Greetings.
Yam festival sound really interesting i have always love the Igbo culture and I hope one day I will be able to attend one of the festival.
Seriously it is indeed a great festival to experience, as though the celebration is always done in a grand style. Also the favorite music of the igbo people which is highlife is often played. Greetings
The new yam festival in the Igbo culture is partially sensational the joys of people when they celebrate the first yam from the soil .
Words are I capable of explaining that sensational feelings
I can only appluaud you for bringing this delight to the knowledge of those unfortunate individuals yet to experience this festival
Yes that's right, the joy that comes with in during that period is total different. The joy of the first yam from the soil is really a great cause of celebration as though the land will be blessed and become more fertile for planting yam. Greetings
The new yam festival is one of the important and most anticipated in Igbo culture. The feeling is exceptional. You've done a nice explanation
Yes i agree with you there, the feelings is indeed super, it always feel as if that day should remain. Dancing and rejoiocihas always been the activity of the igbo people on that particular day. Thanks for stopping by. Greetings
Thank you for participating. All the best.
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