SEC-S17W3: "National Festival" by @rossnenye
| What is the national festival of your country? How did it start |
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The new yam festival also called "iri ji ofuu" in the Igbo language is a popular known celebration that is unique with the Igbo culture. It is usually celebrated at the end of the rainy season usually around August to mark the beginning of harvest. Yam is the king of food in the Igbo culture because it can be used to prepare different dishes and that is why we celebrate it. The festival is also done to thank God for bountiful Harvest.
The new yam festival dated back in the olden days when our fore fathers celebrates it to mark the end of planting season and beginning of harvest and also to celebrate the importance of yam in the Igbo culture.
| How is this festival celebrated? Are there any special rules for celebrating it? |
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The festival usually starts with the opening prayer said by the most elderly man in the Community thanking the God Almighty for a fruitful harvest.
- The Feast
After the prayers, the feast follows suit. Different dishes prepared with the yam such as Pounded yam and soups, roasted yam and palmoil, porridge yam is brought out for people to eat and enjoy themselves.
- Music and Dance
While the people are eating and enjoying themselves, different cultural clubs and Masquerades comes and entertain the people. Some farmers also comes to display their Yams and the person whose yam is the biggest goes home with prizes.
The rule of the new yam festival is that from the day of the festival, old yam is no longer eaten, only new year is eaten by the villagers,
| Are there any special outfits or foods for celebrating your national festival? |
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The only dish allowed to be eaten on the new yam festival is dishes prepared with yam such as Pounded yam, roasted yam, porridge yam e.t.c.
The only attire allowed for this occasion is cultural wear .
| Tell us about your favorite memory from celebrating your national festival. |
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My most memorable aspect of the new yam festival is sitting down together and eating with other family members. I also get to see my relatives because they usually come back for the festival. I also love watching the different cultural dance groups perform. I always look forward to the festival every year.
Thanks for reading through my post, I invite @invite @pea07, @richy20 and @peacealexandra to participate in this contest.
Every country organizes various festivals based on different themes, but each of those festivals is very significant and unique in its own way. In your country there is also a festival called Yam which is also known and appreciated as "iri ji ofuu" in Igbo language.
During the festival, you perform various activities to appease and thank the god of food, as the festival is held just before the harvest.
It is really fun to organize a festival with all the family. Because there are distant relatives back home, the joy of celebrating a festival with them is doubled.
I wish you the best in this competition. stay well
Best Regards
@nasir04
TEAM 2
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Aha Nigeria the giant of Africa is made up different ethnic groups, and your state happens to be one of the tribes. And I am very familiar with the celebration of your new yam festival otherwise known as iri ji ofuu in Igbo language. This celebration is to usher in the harvest of new yam, the yam would be prepared for consumption, it can be roasted, cooked etc. and maidens would be adorned in special and beautiful costumes to dance round the community. And on that day yam is the only food allowed to be eaten. Nice culture
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Hello @rossnenye! Your post beautifully captures the essence and importance of the New Yam Festival in Igbo culture. I have provided useful details about its origins, customs and traditions, giving readers a deeper understanding of this cherished celebration. Your favorite personal memories add a heartfelt touch, showcasing the importance of family, togetherness and cultural heritage in celebrations. Good luck in the contest!
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