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New Yam Festival (Iwa Ji)
The Igbo harvest festival — no one may eat the new yam until the ancestors are thanked.
August 1 – 3 days
Why It Matters
The New Yam Festival of the Igbo people of Nigeria marks the end of the agricultural year. The yam is the king of crops — no one may eat the new yam until the earth goddess Ani and the ancestors are thanked.
How It Is Observed
Offering the first yam to Ani and ancestors, masquerade performances (Mmanwu), community feasting, music and dance, display of generosity.