My culture, my heritage; New yam festival and masquerade
Hello wonderful people, how una dey today?
Continuing from where i stopped the last time on my culture, my heritage; bringing the festivals and craftsmanship which equally says alot of words about Igbo and culture.
Stating some of the festivals which say things of culture using the eastern part of Nigeria.
These are some of most prominent festivals in Igboland; they are
- New yam festival(Iri hi ohuru)
- Igba-ekpe, Imeonkonko/ mmanwu (masquerading)
- Obuofor Uga festival
- Iwa-akwa(age grade)
- Igboto nma(retirement festival)
- Iwa Oji
These festivals mentioned above has its symbolic meaning s that goes as the horns and believe of a particular tribe. It equally goes to the system of their worship(traditionally)
source: facebook
New yam festival: This is one of the Igbo's festival which gives room for thanksgiving to the gods of the land for the blessings of giving a fertile land and a healthy harvest of the first crop (yam). It is assumed to be the first crop to be harvested and most important crop of the region.
source: facebook
This festival normally comes at the end of rainy season in the August. The new yam ritual is been performed by the the Igwe (king), Eldest man or a high chief. He will offer prayers and equally recognize the ancestors of the land for giving life to the community and thank them for not letting hunger take the people away.
source: facebook
The first harvested yam will be eaten by him,because it is believed that he is the intermediary between man and the ancestors.
During this festival,different types of ham are been displayed. They are:-
- Ji Igwe
- Ji abala
- Ji ocha
- Ji opani
- Ogbaga Ogii
- Ogbaga ocha
Traditional titles like Ezeji, Ezeoba will be confirmed on individuals based on their commitment and hard working during the production of the yam.
Ezeji title
This title is not given to everybody. According to the old tradition, we measure the wealth in igboland by the number of yam one has and animals,wives and children but today the story is not same.
Before one holds the title of ezeji, he most possess the above type of yam mentioned above. That is to say he must have one pen of ham(otumkpa ji and oba ji) and other ones in the ground.
This title is highly respected in the society.
Masquerade (Mmanwu):
This is display of different types of demi-gods head. In igbo culture, the masquerade is believe to embodies the spirit and human world.
This happens to be one of component of igbo culture that survived the western influences and it is believed in igboland that masquerade is a spirit.
source: Facebook
They dresses in a beautiful costumes which represents the demi-gods and tribe of a particular people.
The masquerade appears during the traditional celebrations(funerals,challenge day)and festivals like new yam festivals, Ofala).
There are many masquerade like:- Adamma (Eungu), Agaefe (Anambra), Izaga (Anambra), Udunkuru (Abia), Ajo-ohia (Anambra), Ekpo (Akwa-ibom), Otenkwu (Eungu).
Each head costume worn by a particular masquerade represents a gods or a goddess.
Thank you for following my work on my culture,my heritage. I will still fix on more on this topic. It gives me joy to know a bit of your own culture. Am equally sorry if i never mentioned your state or country,i believe my research will bring me there.
Is still your little man @lapb.
You can read the previous story here:
https://steemit.com/culture/@lapb/my-culture-my-heritage-culture-and-people-88fdaa75179ea
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This is a wonderful introduction to the traditions of your culture. You have a clear way of describing the significance of these festivals, and your pictures, particularly the one at the top, are excellent. Most Westerners do not expect to see yams at the center of the table. Highlights the importance of this crop to your culture.
Thank you @agmoore, for reading through my work...
Thanks for the information about igbo culture. I now know through your article that the yorubas are not the only people doing yam festival.
Thank you @oluwashinaayomi..... I will be glad to know more about your culture.
I think this is a very good article about culture.
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