The Umuopara Umuahia traditional rulers says they kick started their 2023 new yam festival to express their common identity.
The chairman, Umuopara Council of Traditional Rulers, and Ohazurumee of Dim-na-Opara Ancient Kingdom, HRM Eze Wisdom Ekueku explained this on the occasion of the 2nd Umuopara Ahia-Asaa (Umuopara seven markets) clan’s new yam festival.
He noted, “We are people united by common history, culture, custom, tradition and heritage. The Iwa-ji festival is one of the cultural traditions we inherited from our ancestors.
“Today, history has offered us another opportunity to express our common identity and unity. Today’s event marks the commencement of Iri-ji (new yam) festival in our different communities”.
Umuopara clan, originally seven autonomous communities, is now 13 autonomous communities “due to administrative convenience”, Eze Ekueku said and further explained, “we gathered here to appreciate God for a successful farming season and harvest and to intercede for the success of a new season.
“The significance of yam cultivation and preservation of Igbo culture is because yam is the most cherished and respected crop among the Igbos. Currently, yam is still the core of social and religious life of Ndi Igbo and therefore occupies a sacred position in Igbo cosmetology”.
Hopefully he said, “The advent of mechanization offers the potential to revolutionize the agricultural sector, increase output and reduce labour/intensive effort.
“The sector’s progress hinges on a dynamic shift towards modern practices that enhance efficiency, productivity and sustainability, hence the need for innovation and technology in our approach to agriculture.
He however lamented, “culture and language are vanishing due to lack of awareness therefore, the need for us to preserve our cultural heritage, beliefs, arts, practices, institutions, values, customs, traditions or social behaviours significant to Ndi Igbo as a people. The best way to preserve our culture is to use them often as we can”, advising, “It is necessary that parents engage their children productively through activities that will hone their cultural environment”.
In his welcome address, a paramount leader, High Chief Ichie Nwachukwu Oleka described the occasion as one “that ushers in a new season and portrays the diverse cultural heritage of Umuopara while re-establishing viable culture and investment opportunities within the various communities”, while a foremost chief and industrial paint manufacturer, Chief Bright Chimezie Nwaiwu affirmed that the even is devoid of fetish practices.
Accordingly, an educationist school proprietor, Chief Smart Nwokorie said “the festival is in order and ought to be done” and thanked Eze Ekueku for sustaining what he started last year, describing him as ” epitome of culture”.
“The door for new yam celebration has opened and God is actually with Umuopara community, blessed and secured. We need to sustain and maintain what we are already doing”, he said and urged doubting Thomases that the festival is God-centered.
He described the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia at the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. Obi Aguocha as “a man that actually appreciates the people that helped him win election and thanked him for paying back for what the people have done for him”.
Nwokorie extended his appreciation to the facilitator of the even and the Traditional Prime Minister of Umuopara Ahia Asaa, High Chief Acho Hawkins Uluocha, describing him as “a Traditional Prime Minister per excellence ad brain box” of the event, “cellebral and philanthropic”.
According to the Local Organizing Committee chairman, Evang. Ndubuisi Ahiwe, said new yam celebration in Umuopara is not fetish and advised those who don’t observe it that their unbelief is a “misinterpretation”.
Earlier, the chairman of the occasion and member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia at the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. Obi Aguocha urged the people to have faith in God even as they celebrate, commending them for having the reason to help vote him in the last general election and assured of remembering them in his infrastructure agenda. He urged the clan to maintain their noble culture.
