Nnewi Afiaolu Festival
Traditional festival held annually in Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Afiaolu (New yam festival) // ⓘ is a traditional festival held annually in Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria[1] around August. The Afiaolu festival commences on “Eke” day with what is traditionally described as “Iwaji” (scaling of yam) and Ikpa Nku (the wood gathering), this heralds the availability of new yam as well as thanksgiving to God.[2] The festival includes a variety of entertainments including performance of ceremonial rites by the Igwe (king), cultural dance by girls and masquerade dance.[3]
Yam is the main agricultural crop of the Igbos and also the staple food of her people. The New Yam Festival known as ‘Iwa-Ji ohuu’ or ‘Iri-Ji Ohuu’ is a celebration depicting the prominence of yam in the social-cultural life of the people. During the festival the people thank God for the arrival of the new harvest of yams and perform traditional rites to declare the new yam fit for general consumption.[4]