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New Yam Festival (Iwa Ji)
The Igbo harvest festival — no one may eat the new yam until the ancestors are thanked.
📅 August 1 – 3 days
✦ Why It Matters
The New Yam Festival of the Igbo people of Nigeria marks the end of the agricultural year. The yam is the king of crops — 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.