By Ebere Akuma
Ihembosi, the food basket of Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State, came alive at the weekend as the ancient community rolled out the drums for its annual New Yam Festival, turning the town into a colourful celebration of culture, unity and thanksgiving.
As tradition demands, the honour of cutting the first yam went to Umuohi Village, the youngest of the Ihembosi villages, in a symbolic ceremony that attracted thunderous applause from the mammoth crowd.
The festival brought together indigenes of Ihembosi from home and abroad, alongside executives of all branches of the Ihembosi Progressive Assembly.
The ceremony was spiritually blessed by the Parish Priest of St. Anthony Catholic Church, Ihembosi, Rev. Fr. Paul Onwughalu.
It was also a gathering of prominent personalities, including the Mayor of Ekwusigo Council, Hon. Chimezie Obi; traditional ruler and NDC senatorial hopeful, HRM Dr. Ebuka Onunkwo; Anambra State House of Assembly Majority Leader, Hon. Dr. Ikenna Ofordeme (Owelle Gbogbo); APGA Assembly candidate, Hon. Vin Dike; Chief Tobechukwu Chukwuma (Ubasinachi Ihembosi), as well as representatives of Anya Ihembosi, Eze Mentus, Onwa, Isimmili and Ochedo traditional institutions.
Also in attendance were former Presidents-General of the community, village chairmen, women leaders, Ndi Odinana and other stakeholders.
Speaking at the festival, President-General of the Ihembosi Progressive Assembly, Chief Malachy Udezue (Ezeamulunobi), said the celebration went beyond merriment, describing it as an important expression of the community’s agricultural heritage and thanksgiving.
According to him, Ihembosi is predominantly a farming community, making the New Yam Festival an opportunity for the people to return from the farms and thank God for seeing them through the planting and harvest seasons.
“Yam remains the king of all crops. Our youths must not abandon agriculture and our rich Igbo culture,” he declared, while praying for good health, prosperity and continued blessings for the people.
In his goodwill message, Chief Dr. Ebuka Onunkwo (Ezeigbo), an NDC senatorial candidate for Anambra South Senatorial District, commended Ihembosi for maintaining peace and unity.
Onunkwo urged the people to sustain the spirit of togetherness and also canvassed support ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Among the illustrious sons of the community interviewed at the event were Chief Ifeanyi Udeze (Pounds and Dollars), Chief Tobechukwu Chukwuma (Ubasinachi) and Hon. Martin Udedike (Ikenga Ozubulu).
The festival climaxed with the ceremonial cutting of the new yam, followed by colourful homage by the various villages, friends and well-wishers, bringing another edition of the historic celebration to a memorable close.
Tags: #Ihembosi #NewYamFestival #Ekwusigo
