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From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
On Friday, August 28, the people of Ibeku, in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, made up of Afarata, Afara Ukwu, Amaoforo, Emede, Isieke, Ndume and Osaah villages, celebrated this year’s new yam festival.
The 2026 celebration of new yam in Ibeku land was unique as no fewer than 100 masquerades were on display, showcasing the people’s culture. They in turn, paraded the streets of Umuahia, the Abia State capital and its environs to the admiration of residents.
Prior to the commencement of this year’s celebration, as it is customary, the Ochiagha/Oparaukwu Ibeku (the Crown Prince of Ibeku), Prince Benjamin Apugo, performed some traditional rites at Umuajiji, Isieke, the traditional ground of all Ibeku people.
The traditional rites performed in the early hours of the day, involved among others, the cutting of a big roasted yam tuber into seven pieces, representing the seven villages of Ibeku; and it was preceded by the traditional gun shots and the sounding of the Ikoro which alerted the whole of Ibeku of the
commencement of the New Yam Festival.
According to traditional folklore, without these traditional rites performed by the Crown Prince, no Ibeku man will eat the new yam.
Explaining why this is so, Prince Apugo said the traditional rites which has in any way been diluted with modernity, was sorts of official permission to every Ibeku man or woman, old and young to commence the eating of new yam.
“The tradition I performed at Egwu Ibeku was part of the culture I inherited from my forefathers, whenever I die, one of my sons whom the “Ofo” falls on, will take over since it is hereditary”, Apugo said.
As in previous years, representatives of Ibeku Uruan, in Akwa Ibom State, the people said to have migrated from Ibeku, Abia state, graced this year’s festival in their numbers with their masquerades.
The people’s leader said they came not only to add colour to the festival, but also cement the bond that held both people together over the years.
“The relationship between the two people, Uruan-Inyan Akakpo in Ibeku Uruan and Umuahia Ibeku dates back to 1781. So, we came to join our brothers in Umuahia Ibeku, Abia state to celebrate this year’s New yam festival with them”.
Commenting in an earlier interview on the significance of the visit of the people from Ibeku Uruan, Prince Apugo said, “These people from Akwa Ibom State who came for the New Yam festival, were originally from Ibeku before they went and settled where they are presently living. They come here every year for the festival because of the bond that hold us together”.
Speaking on the importance of the new Yam festival, a native of Ibeku, Chief Obi Ezeigbo said the yam is celebrated because it is regarded as the king of crops in Igbo land.
Ezeigbo added that the new yam is not eaten in Ibeku until the Oparaukwu/Ochiagha Ibeku performs the rites that heralds the new yam festival.
Another native of Ibeku, Henry Chidiebere said the importance his people attach to the new yam festival did not start today.
“Our ancestors who started the new yam festival, attached much importance to it not only because of the place of yam among other crops, but because of its unifying factor, it brings together and unifies the people”, he said.
He commended Prince Apugo for all he has been doing over the years for the sustenance of the celebration of the new yam festival in Ibeku.
The most striking aspect of the event was that all of the over 100 masquerades on display from every part of Ibeku land and those who accompanied them, set foot on Umuajiji-Isieke, the traditional ground of all Ibeku people before moving into town to entertain the people.
