Jubilation as Ndiowu Revives New Yam Festival After 50 Years

By Olisemeka Sony

For the first time in more than half a century, the people of Ndiowu in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State gathered in celebration of their rich cultural heritage as the community revived its New Yam Festival.

The historic celebration, held on Friday, August 28, at the palace of the traditional ruler, HRM Igwe Chibuzor Okeke Ifi, attracted traditional rulers from Anambra, Enugu and other neighbouring communities, members of the royal cabinet, town union leaders, clergy, indigenes, masquerade groups and entertainers.

Amid cheers and cultural displays, Igwe Okeke Ifi performed the symbolic cutting and eating of the new yam—the first community-wide rite of its kind in Ndiowu in over 50 years.

The monarch said the revival of the festival marked the beginning of a broader effort to restore the community’s cultural heritage and accelerate its development.

“Ndiowu will no longer lag behind. We are determined to move forward with other Igbo towns and communities. There are certain things other towns are doing that Ndiowu is not doing, and we want to start doing them.”

He announced plans to hold the community’s maiden Ofala Festival within the next few months.

“By the grace of God, in a few months, we will invite you all for our maiden Ofala celebration. It is our intention to add it to the list of the rich cultural heritage of Ndigbo that we intend to revive in our town,” he said.

Beyond culture, Igwe Okeke Ifi outlined ongoing efforts to improve healthcare and electricity supply in the community.

He assured residents that all three health centres in Ndiowu would become functional before the end of the year.

On electricity, the monarch disclosed that the installation of poles and cables was ongoing across the community.

“In another six weeks, any day Ajali has power supply, Ndiowu will also have power supply,” he announced to loud cheers.

He added: “We will continue to take strides, one step at a time, towards the transformation of Ndiowu. You know it is after crawling that one stands and starts running.”

The monarch expressed optimism that subsequent editions of the festival would be bigger and that visitors would meet a more united, peaceful and prosperous Ndiowu.

“Our prayer is that this year’s New Yam celebration will engender unity, peace and progress in Ndiowu,” he said.

‘A Historic Moment for Ndiowu’

In his welcome address, the Onowu of Ndiowu Kingdom, Engr. Dr. Chidi Nwafor, described the occasion as historic and expressed gratitude that the community was celebrating Iri Ji as a united people for the first time in decades.

“This is the first time in my lifetime that we are organising Iri Ji in Ndiowu. This is not the type celebrated individually in people’s homes. This is a community-wide celebration led by the traditional ruler of the town.”

Nwafor, a former INEC communications expert, said the festival was both sacred and joyous.

According to him, it is a traditional celebration through which the Igbo people give thanks to God for seeing them through the planting season to the harvest.

“New Yam Festival is more than a feast. It is a time-honoured tradition celebrated at a particular period of the year when the yam is ready for harvest.

“We use the occasion to connect with our heritage, thank God, honour our ancestors and appreciate our land for its fruitfulness. Every Igbo person understands the important role the land plays in our society.”

‘Yam Is the King of Crops’

The Deputy Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council and traditional ruler of Omasi, Ayamelum LGA, HRM Igwe Benjamin Okeji, described the New Yam Festival as one of the most important events in the Igbo traditional calendar.

According to him, the festival reflects the special status of yam in Igbo society.

“The Igbo regard yam as the king of crops, and that is why it carries special reverence. Once the harvest season begins, it is yam that is traditionally celebrated.”

He explained that the traditional ruler performs the first new-yam rite before members of the community commence their own celebrations.

Igwe Okeji also appealed to Ndiowu indigenes to support their traditional ruler and work collectively for the development of the community.

“A traditional ruler is the chief servant of the community. Good-spirited stakeholders sought out Dr. Chibuzor Okeke Ifi, who was residing abroad, to return and contribute to the development of Ndiowu.

“Since his ascension to the throne, he has demonstrated his commitment to moving the community in the right direction. Today, we are celebrating a New Yam Festival that Ndiowu has not celebrated collectively for more than 50 years. That is evidence of the change taking place.”

He prayed for lasting peace and unity in the community.

Several prominent Ndiowu indigenes who spoke on the sidelines of the event—including Engr. Emeka Akabogu, Deputy President-General of Ndiowu; Hon. Emeka Aforka, former Majority Leader of the Anambra State House of Assembly; Prof. Ogonna Nwangene of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University; and Dr. Joseph Onuorah, Deme Deme Ndiowu—expressed joy over the return of peace and cultural activities to the community.

They urged Ndiowu indigenes at home and abroad to close ranks and work towards a united and prosperous future.

Traditional rulers at the event included Igwe Benjamin Okeji of Omasi; Igwe Israel Ezue, Egbeanaagbaanyanwu of Awa; Igwe Ikechukwu Simeon Chidubem, Aboh I of Umumbo; Igwe Alex Ejikemeuwa Ezeobidike, Azike Idu III of Igboukwu; Igwe Christopher Ndubuisi Okpala, Ezennebo III of Akwaeze; Igwe C.C. Okeke, Ezeudo I of Nawfija; Eze Austin Nwangwu, Ohazurume of Ajali; and Igwe Chukwunweze Patrick Okolo, Nkpunano of Isiakpu Nsukka, among other distinguished personalities.

The festival began with a special thanksgiving service officiated by Canon Dr. Divine Abalogwu of St. Lawrence Anglican Church, Ndiowu.

The event also featured the empowerment of 15 indigent persons through the Okekeifi Foundation Community Outreach Programme.

The celebration, which combined tradition, thanksgiving, entertainment and community development, marked what many residents described as a significant new chapter in Ndiowu’s cultural and social revival.

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