The New Yam Festival is a significant cultural event among the Igbo people, symbolizing the end of the farming season and the beginning of a new harvest cycle. Celebrated annually, usually in August, the festival is marked by various activities:
• Rituals and Offerings: Before the public celebration, the community offers yams to deities and ancestors, seeking blessings for a bountiful harvest.
• Feasting: Yams are prepared in various traditional dishes and shared among community members, symbolizing unity and gratitude.
• Cultural Performances: The festival features traditional music, dances, and masquerades, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Igbo people.
In Arochukwu, the festival is particularly vibrant, featuring Ekpo masquerades that add a unique flair to the celebrations.