Nzuko Ozo Ndigbo, Nigeria, has celebrated Igbo cultural heritage with its seventh annual New Yam Festival, also known as Iwaji/Iliji Ofuu, in Enugu State.
The colourful celebration, held on Saturday at Tribe by Veronica, Veronica Field, GRA, Enugu, brought together traditional rulers, community leaders, religious leaders, academics and other stakeholders to celebrate the harvest and promote Igbo culture and traditions.
The event featured masquerade displays, traditional dance performances, music and other cultural presentations showcasing the richness and diversity of Igbo heritage.
A major highlight of the festival was the ceremonial cutting and eating of roasted new yam, a traditional practice associated with thanksgiving for the harvest and the commencement of the new-yam eating season.
Speaking at the event, the National President and Onyeishiozo of Nzuko Ozo Ndigbo, Prof. Ike Oluka, called for the adoption of a common day in September for the celebration of the New Yam Festival across Igboland and among Igbo communities in the diaspora.
Oluka said a unified celebration date would help strengthen cultural bonds among Igbo communities and give greater visibility to one of the people’s major cultural festivals.
He said the festival should go beyond entertainment, describing it as an avenue for preserving Igbo identity and transmitting cultural values to younger generations.
The festival was held under the theme, “Ozo Philosophy and Ethical Leadership – Igbo Gift to the World.”
Oluka said the Ozo philosophy was rooted in values including moral order, communal responsibility, truth, justice, dignity and spiritual balance.
He urged Ndi Igbo to revive these values among younger generations while discouraging criminality, violence and the pursuit of quick wealth.
According to him, traditional Igbo philosophy promotes patience, hard work, discipline and legitimate wealth creation, stressing that cultural celebrations should also encourage positive values and responsible living.
Representing the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, Victor Onyia described the festival as an important platform for celebrating Igbo identity and strengthening community bonds.
He called for unity, responsible leadership, hard work and commitment to community development, while encouraging younger generations to appreciate and preserve their cultural heritage.
Former Minister of Education, Prof. Elo Amucheazi, also reflected on the evolution of Igbo customs and traditional institutions, emphasising the need to preserve values that have contributed to the resilience of Igbo society.
Former Ezeagu Local Government Area Chairman and former Permanent Secretary, Ozo Ikechukwu Ferdinand Anikwe, called for the restoration of positive values associated with traditional institutions.
Anikwe said Ozo title holders were traditionally expected to uphold truth and justice, adding that the institution could continue to contribute to integrity and responsible leadership in contemporary society.
The festival ended with traditional dances, masquerade displays, music and communal celebrations, as guests joined in the ceremonial cutting and eating of the roasted new yam.
The organisers said the annual Iwaji/Iliji Ofuu festival would continue to promote Igbo cultural heritage, preserve traditional values, encourage cultural integration and strengthen unity among Igbo communities.
By Enitan Mudashiru | MUK TV News
