The New Yam Festival is a significant annual celebration in Igbo land in Eastern parts of Nigeria. It is one of the yearly celebrations that attract eminent people from all walks of life to gather in their respective villages and have fun with their people irrespective of age, religion, belief, or personality.
In this article we will look at the new yam
festival celebration in Ohafia town, located in Abia State of Nigeria.
The new yam festival celebration holds at the Village Square in Ohafia town where everyone will gather to enjoy themselves and have fun.
The New Yam Festival usually comes in different celebration such as cultural dance, masquerade dance, war dance, entertainment, kolanut breaking, and lots more.
The weekly activities program is listed below.
- Kolanut breaking
- Cultural dance
- Masquerade dance
- War dance
- Entertainment
- Vote of thanks
The New Yam Festival celebration usually begins with a week-long masquerade dance. A masquerade known as OBON will open the annual event with a dance. The Obon masquerade will dance around the town by paying homage to the King palace, chiefs, and other prominent people for seven days. The Obon masquerade will go around the town dancing daily for seven days.
Kolanut breaking
As the event begins, His Royal Majesty will break the kolanuts to officially open the celebration and pray for the success of the event.
Cultural dance
The cultural dancers from various groups will entertain the guests and the people. The cultural dance usually comprises youth and adult groups.
Masquerade dance
The masquerade will also dance to entertain the guests and the people. The masquerades that will dance include Ekpe masquerade, Akpan masquerade, and Okonko masquerade. The trio will dance to entertain the guests and the people in general.
War dance
The war dance is usually fun as the group will showcase various systematic acrobatic dance styles to thrill the guests and the people.
Entertainment of Guests and People
It will be the last segment as people will eat pounded yam, roasted yam, palm wine, and other available drinks. Everyone at the village square will eat any yam food of their choice. There will be food for everyone present at the village square during the celebration.
There will be various yam delicacies for everyone to eat. There will be pounded yam, roasted yam, palm wine, and lots more. At the New Yam Festival celebration, the community provides food to be eaten by people. Food and drinks are served freely to everyone at the village square for the celebration.
Vote of thanks
The grand finale will take place at the Village Square after the seven days of Obon dancing around the town and paying homages to the king, chiefs, and other prominent people from the town.
On the final day, another masquerade, such as Ekpe, Akpan, and Okonko will dance to entertain people at the village square.
After eating and dancing, His Royal Majesty will pray for peace, fruitfulness, bountiful harvest for the next farming season.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the New Yam Festival celebration usually brings people closer to one another and united with the people who have traveled out of their land for long time. It is an unforgettable annual celebration experience that lingers in memory of people.
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