New Yam Festival (Iwa Ji)
The Igbo harvest festival, no one may eat the new yam until the ancestors are thanked.
The New Yam Festival is held at the end of the rainy season when the yam harvest begins, most often in August, though each Igbo community sets its own date and some celebrate as late as October.
When Is New Yam Festival (Iwa Ji)?
The New Yam Festival is held at the end of the rainy season when the yam harvest begins, most often in August, though each Igbo community sets its own date and some celebrate as late as October.
Because the Gregorian date changes from year to year, check a calendar published by the tradition or your local community for this year's date.
Why It Matters
The New Yam Festival of the Igbo people of Nigeria marks the end of the agricultural year. The yam is regarded as the king of crops, and traditionally no one may eat the new yam until the earth goddess Ani and the ancestors are thanked.
How It Is Observed
Offering the first yam to Ani and ancestors, masquerade performances (Mmanwu), community feasting, music and dance, display of generosity.