New Yam Festival

E82543

The New Yam Festival is a major annual harvest celebration among Igbo and other Eastern Nigerian communities, marked by thanksgiving rites, feasting, and traditional performances to honor the yam as a staple and symbol of prosperity.

Aliases (1)

Statements (50)
Predicate Object
instanceOf Igbo cultural festival
festival
harvest festival
associatedWith yam
associatedWithEthnicGroup Idoma
Igbo
Tiv
Yoruba communities in some areas
celebratedBy Igbo people
celebratedIn Eastern Nigeria NERFINISHED
Nigeria
southeastern Nigeria
country Nigeria
culturalSignificance affirms respect for land and ancestors
marks the beginning of the new harvest year
reinforces community bonds
featuresActivity drumming
feasting
masquerade performances
music
prayers
ritual sacrifices
thanksgiving rites
traditional dances
featuresFood pounded yam
roasted yam
yam porridge
hasAlternativeName Iri Ji
Iwa Ji
Orureshi (among Idoma)
hasCulturalElement age-grade processions
chieftaincy displays
traditional attire
hasRitual first yam is eaten by the community leader
first yam is offered to deities or ancestors
old yams are discarded before eating new yams
hasTheme harvest
renewal
thanksgiving
honors yam
mainStapleHonored yam
region West Africa
religiousAspect Christian thanksgiving practices
traditional Igbo religion
symbolizes abundance
fertility
prosperity
timeOfYear around August
around September
end of rainy season

Referenced by (4)
Subject (surface form when different) Predicate
Igbo
culturalFestival
Eastern Nigeria
culturalPractice
Akwa Ibom State
hasCulturalFestival
Cross River State ("Leboku New Yam Festival")
hasNotableEvent

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