Скачать или смотреть The Igbo Iri Ji (New Yam )Festival

The Iri Ji Festival, also known as the New Yam Festival, is a traditional celebration held by the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria and across Igbo communities worldwide. “Iri Ji” means “to eat yam” in Igbo, and the festival marks the beginning of the yam harvest season, which is a significant agricultural event in Igbo culture.

Key Features of the Iri Ji Festival:

🌾 Cultural Significance:
• Yams are considered the king of crops in Igbo land, symbolizing wealth, prosperity, and communal survival.
• The festival honors Ala (the earth goddess) and the ancestors, thanking them for a successful harvest and praying for future abundance.

🎉 Traditional Activities:
• Blessing and breaking of the yam: The community chief or the oldest man typically performs this ritual, offering prayers and slicing the first yam.
• Cultural dances like egwu igba, masquerade performances (mmanwu), and drumming.
• Traditional attire is worn, with rich displays of Igbo fabric, beads, and headgear.
• Feasting: Yam dishes like pounded yam with egusi, yam porridge, or roasted yam with palm oil are shared.

🌍 Modern Celebrations:
• In diaspora communities (e.g., UK, US, Canada), Iri Ji is also an occasion to showcase Igbo culture, foster community unity, and educate younger generations.
• Events often include cultural exhibitions, food fairs, speeches, and sometimes church thanksgiving services.

📅 When It Happens:
• Traditionally held between August and October, depending on the harvest cycle and local customs.