By Polycap Ifeanyi, Onitsha
An indigene of Ogidi in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, High Chief Dr Chris Onwudiwe has described yam as the most respected staple food in Igboland.
Chief Onwudiwe made the assertion in an interview with journalists at the palace of HRM Pharm Alex Onyido, the traditional ruler of Ogidi town who has celebrated New Yam Festival.
He said due to yam is regarded as king of the crops in Igboland, it is being celebrated in a special way before it is generally eaten called “Iwa Ji” or “Iri Ji” based on diverse Igbo dialects.
High Chief Onwudiwe who holds chieftaincy title of ” Eze Afulukwe” in Ogidi explained that in Ogidi community, Igwe would be the first person to celebrate New Yam festival, saying that after 4 days, the rest of the community would begin to celebrate the New Yam festival on their own and it is called (ILOMUO).
He further disclosed that New Yam festival is also Igbo culture and tradition, adding that yam commands high respect in Igboland as the most prominent staple food which Igbo cultivate in large quantities.
” Yam is highly regarded more than other crops in Igboland. If someone steals yam, after punishing the person, the person would further perform some traditional rite to appease the god. This shows you how yam is regarded in Igboland as an important crop.
” So, we don’t joke with New Yam festival. In the book of ” Things Fall Apart”, there is a particular place New Yam festival of Ogidi was highlighted. Therefore, Igbo culture is not idol worshipping. It is all about clean heart and uprightness. There is no idol worshipping in New Yam festival, “he said.
He highly criticized those claiming that there is idol worshipping in New Yam festival, saying that they were not well informed in Igbo culture and tradition, just as he blamed missionaries who he said brought their own culture to discourage Ndigbo from practicing their own culture.
Meanwhile, the traditional ruler, Pharm Onyido had in his brief interview with journalists explained that the New Yam festival is a revered celebration that promotes Igbo cultural heritage and weaves together spiritual and cultural significance, reinforcing the people’s connection to their heritage, forefathers and the creator.
The Monarch noted that through the festival, a massive agricultural revival among the communities takes place to reawaken their agricultural consciousness to tackle the looming food crises amidst increasing prices of commodities.
He urged youths who are fast abandoning agriculture for white-collar job to make a U-turn and embrace agriculture to improve food production in other to eradicate hunger and food crises. He said deliberate measures should be put in place to check the problem.
