Ojiji Festival: How New Yam Unites Izzi People and Reaffirms Ebonyi’s Cultural Identity
By Ugonma Ewa
Every August, Ebonyi State comes alive with the rhythm of drums, aroma of roasted yams, and laughter of families as communities mark the New Yam Festival. Known by different names across the zones, “Iriji” in Abakaliki block, “Ikeji” in Afikpo, and unique variants in Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo (Ohanivo), the festival is more than a harvest feast. It is a celebration of identity, unity, and continuity of a heritage that binds the people beyond religion and politics.
On August 18, 2025, the Izzi Nnodo clan rolled out the drums in grand style for their Ojiji Festival, joined by their illustrious son and Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru.
Nwifuru was in his father's palace at Oferekpe Agbaja for the celebration with his friends and well-wishers.
In his goodwill message, Governor Nwifuru described Ojiji as “not just a celebration of harvest, but a reaffirmation of who we are as a people blessed with industry, unity, and shared heritage.” He urged the Izzi people and Ebonyians at large to renew their commitment to peace, brotherhood, and collective progress.
The festival was marked by colourful displays of tradition, sumptuous meals, and open-door hospitality. Engineer Stanley Labechi Mbam, Commissioner for Works and founder of the MSL Foundation, hosted thousands at his Nkaliki country home, where cows, goats, and heaps of yams were shared freely. He urged his kinsmen to remain united and thanked Governor Nwifuru for the platform to serve.
For many, Ojiji goes beyond merriment. It is a uniting factor in Izzi land, a cultural glue that bridges generations. ALGON Chairman, Chinedu Uburu, recalled childhood memories of songs and dances that defined Ojiji, stressing that “you can hardly talk about tribalism when you are celebrating New Yam. Culture unites us, politics divides us.”
Commissioner for Environment, Victor Chukwu, highlighted the deep symbolism of the festival, noting that the rituals around yams underscore brotherhood and the pride of preserving heritage against Western erosion.
Attorney-General Ben Uruchi Odo emphasised that culture should not be discarded under religious sentiments. Citing experiences across Igboland and even beyond Nigeria, he argued that “our culture is not idol worship but an identity and way of life that must be integrated with politics and religion rather than abandoned.”
Indeed, at the heart of the Ojiji festival lies a message of continuity and resilience. From roasted yams and spicy soups to the colourful regalia of dancers, from the laughter of children to the speeches of leaders, the festival affirms that the Izzi spirit of diligence and perseverance remains unbroken.
As the drums faded into the night in Nkaliki, one truth stood clear: for the Izzi people, yams are more than food; it is a symbol of unity, gratitude, and identity. And through the Ojiji festival, Ebonyi continues to assert that culture is not just history, but the future.
