It was a deep display of Igbo cultural heritage during the celebration of the 2024 edition of the new yam festival by the Ndi Igbo community of Cajaah estate located in Orozo community in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
This year ceremony which had as its theme: “Our Culture, Our Heritage” took place in the estate over the weekend and attracted Igbos within and outside its environ. They were indeed all dressed in different and diverse colorful traditional Igbo attires that befit the occasion.
Highlighting the purpose of the occasion, the Chairman of the Igbo community in Cajaah estate, Chief Cosmas Ekpunobi told our correspondent why the occasion was that important to them as Igbos.
He said, “It is in keeping with the tradition of Igbos anywhere they find themselves even if they are two or three. We have this tradition of bringing ourselves together, to know each other, share in our experiences and if possible help each other.
“New yam festival is one unique event in Igbo land that we have also tried to institute here, bring ourselves together and also bring our friends. It’s not exclusively for Igbos alone that is why you can see the presence of other people from other tribes with us here today.
“This is the second time we are doing this in this estate, and each time we keep trying to improve on what we are doing. But, that next time we are going to do this you will definitely see a lot of improvement.
“Let me assure you that the Nzuko Ndigbo is not a parallel association in the estate, but it is what we do as Igbos anywhere we find ourselves , both here and abroad. That was why sometimes ago there was a new yam festival in Germany and all of you saw what happened there. Like I said this association is not a parallel association, it is here to compliment the existing executive in the estate,” the Ndigbo chairman concluded.
Also speaking with our correspondent, chairman of the 2024 new yam festival organizing committee, Chief Nonso Onwuanibe gave more insight for the occasion, emphasizing that it’s meant to showcase their rich cultural heritage.
“The new yam festival or as we call it, Iwaji or Iriji is a festival that Igbos celebrate all over the world. It’s basically to usher in the new yam festival. It’s a mark of blessings, goodwill and togetherness. And as a community in this estate, the Chairman deemed it necessary that the Igbo community been a strong one in the estate it is pertinent to showcase our culture and our heritage to other tribes in the estate. That is one of the reasons we are having this wonderful occasion today,” he said.
Meanwhile, the special guest of honour at the event, the chairman of the estate Engr Kenneth Egbedion praised the Igbo community for setting the pace for unity in the estate.
“We want to congratulate you for putting together this event, and it’s our prayer that subsequent occasions it will be bigger and bigger. Thank you for setting the pace while others follow. You people have shown what it actually takes for community relation, for unity and harmony. I want to thank the leadership of the Ndigbo for setting the pace. For bringing unity amongst us and it’s our prayers that celebration will not seize in this estate,” he concluded.
The event featured the traditional cutting of the well roasted yam, which the Chairman of the Ndigbo community led other top dignitaries to performing the rites and thereafter there were displays of Igbo recitation which was anchored by two vibrant very young Igbo boys, Master David Amarachukwu Emenike and Master Emmanuel Chinenyenwa Emenike to the admiration of all.
The popular Ogene dance troops were also on ground to entertain the house with their traditional tunes.
The occasion did not lack in foods and drinks as the ‘Nzuko Ndigbo’ did actually put aside the Tinubu induced hardship in the land to entertain the guests with assorted and enough Igbo delicacies.
