A cultural tapestry: HRH. Evang. Dr. Tony Ulasi Okudaa-Ibube I of Dome-Kwabenya celebrates 2024 New Yam Festival
In a vibrant celebration of heritage and community, HRH. Evang. Dr. Tony Ulasi (Okudaa-Ibube I), Eze Ndi-Igbo of Dome-Kwabenya, marked the 2024 New Yam Festival with grandeur and cultural significance. This year’s festival, a celebration of abundance and gratitude, drew dignitaries, community leaders, and guests from diverse backgrounds, uniting them in a shared appreciation of Igbo culture.
The festivities commenced with the arrival of esteemed guests, setting the tone for a day filled with music, dance, and cultural displays. The event featured a musical interlude that resonated with the rich traditions of the Igbo people, captivating attendees and igniting a sense of pride.
An opening prayer by Bishop Mighty ushered in the spirit of the festival, emphasizing the importance of gratitude and community. Following this, members of the Unique Ladies and Elite Women presented kola-nuts to the chairman of the event and the Chief of Staff, a gesture symbolizing hospitality and respect.
HRH. Evang. Dr. Tony Ulasi delivered a heartfelt welcome speech, highlighting the significance of the New Yam Festival as a time to reflect on the blessings of the year. His words resonated with the audience, reminding them of the deep cultural roots and communal bonds that the festival fosters.
“We Igbos never taste the new yam before the festival is celebrated. We celebrate the festival at the beginning of each harvest of new yam (Iri ji) to thank God for a bountiful harvest”, Eze Okudaa-Ibube I of Dome-Kwabenya expressed with joy.
The gathering also featured a speech from Chief of Igbo Ghana, His Royal Majesty Eze Amb. Dr. Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu. His address underscored the unity of the Igbo diaspora and the importance of maintaining cultural traditions in a globalized world.
One of the festival’s highlights was the vibrant cultural dance performed by the Abia Women, a performance that celebrated the rich artistic heritage of the Igbo people. The ceremonial Iwa ji, or cutting of yam, was a poignant moment, representing the joy of the harvest and the beginning of a new cycle.
The event took a celebratory turn with the firing of musketry, a traditional salute that added to the festivity’s grandeur. This was followed by the conferment of a chieftaincy title, further affirming the community’s commitment to honoring its leaders and elders.
As the sun began to set, the Royal Dance captivated the audience, showcasing the grace and elegance of Igbo traditions. Attendees were left in awe as the dance echoed the rhythms of their ancestry, bridging the past with the present.
The festival concluded with a vote of thanks that recognized the contributions of all involved, followed by closing prayers that offered blessings for the community and a prosperous year ahead.
This year’s New Yam Festival not only celebrated the harvest but also reinforced the bonds of kinship and cultural identity among the Igbo community in Ghana. With the participation of various associations, the festival served as a testament to the resilience and vibrancy of Igbo culture, ensuring that the legacy of the New Yam Festival will continue to thrive for generations to come.
It’s important to anchor the point that, the 2024 Annual New Yam Festival was graced by chiefs from various groups, including Obieziokwu, Obiamala Chukwu Executive, Eastern Brothers, Organiru Brothers Association, G8 International Club, Agbozume, Abidjan Brothers Association, Umu Otu Na Ghana, Umu Nwanyi Igbo Na Ghana, Imunwanyi Igbo Na Ghana, D.P.C Club Ghana, Esan Community Ghana, Nwanne Na Mba, Obi Aflao, Obi Ife, Obi Organiru, Obia Progressive Union, Octopus Group, Unique Ladies/Elite Women, Obi Anwulika Palace, Torgbe Tsidi III, Dufia of Anyanui Anlo District in the Volta Region, Pokuase Mantse, Kwabenya Mantse, Dodowa Mantse, and representatives from Nnewi/Ozubulu Orifite/Ichi.
