FESTIVAL: Mayor Ekwusigo likens festival to be one celebrated globall

By Ekelaka Magnus

The ancient traditions of Ihembosi was brought to life at the 2025 Iwaji (new yam festival) of Ihembosi in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The festival which brought home some of the illustrust sons and daughters of Ihembosi as well attracted dignitaries from all spheres of life including government officials both from local and state all came to be part in the history making.

Chief Udezue Malachy (Ezeamuounobi), the president general of Ihembosi progressive union not only celebrated with his people but also offered rare insights into the spiritual significance of the event and the cultural beliefs that underpin it.

According to him,”Iwaji is celebrated all over Igboland to thank God for life, good harvest, and blessings.

The Paramount ruler or the Igwe first sets the pace, and afterward, families and villages hold theirs. It is not compulsory for those abroad to return, but many came home this year out of love for Ihembosi,” he said

Going deeper into cultural philosophy, Chief Udezue traced the origins of Iwaji to the ancient Alomuo festival, which according to him is a period for remembering and communing with the ancestors. He asserted.

Moving forward, the Mayor of Ekwusigo Local government area, Hon. Chimezie Obi felicitated with the people of Ihembosi community on the occasion of the New yam festival, he prayed God to grant them long life and good health,

According to him, he underscores the significance of this year’s new yam festival to be of great importance to the Ihembosi community, he likens it to be one of the festival celebrated globally, according to him, he says that the Festival is more than just a celebration— “it is a celebration of life, hard work, “It reminds us of the values that binds us together as a people, community resilience, respect for elders, and reverence for the land that sustains us, is a period of unity and brotherliness in Ihembosi.

In his good will message, the mayor urged those in diaspora to always make out time to come home during new yam Festival to see and Foster development in the community, he prayed that this year’s festival brings abundance, peace, and prosperity, May our youths continue to shine. And may our land continue to flourish.

On his part, a chieftain of the community and an elder statesman in Ihembosi known as Anya Ihembosi while on an interactive session with journalists noted that this year festival was colourful and memorable, with cultural dances from various troupes, masquerade displays, exhibition of the biggest yam tubers harvested this year.

Anya Ihembosi however opined that It was a day of joy, gratitude, and renewed hope for a brighter future for Ihembosi community.

The festival, marked with pomp, pageantry, and displays of rich cultural heritage, once again reinforced the enduring place of tradition in the identity of the Ihembosi people, reminding all present that while modern influences may shape lifestyles, certain customs such as observance of the new yam festival remains untouchable symbols of collective identity.