The Umueri new yam festival or Iwa Ji Umueri, is a significant Cultural event in Umueri Community in Anambra East local government Area of Anambra state.
The origin is believed to be from deification of Njoku. The name,”Fejioku” literally means, Fee- Njoku which translates “Adore Njoku”. Oral tradition holds that during the early migrations of the Igbo race, Njoku, one of the six sons of the progenitor of Igbo race was deified to enhance bounty harvest.
Iwa-Ji ceremony in Umueri Community and Igbo nation in general is regarded as the festival of the first fruits harvested from individual farms in line with biblical injunction that, “we present our first fruits to the Lord as an honour and a reward for what our hands had produced and honour our God for the enablement to have a fruitful harvest.”
Iwa- ji is an annual festival in Igbo land and normally celebrated between the Months of August and September every year in Umueri when the citizens come together to honor their ancestors and the yam deity Ifejioku for life and blessings of bumper harvest. The festival is used to showcase the importance of Agriculture, one love and to honour farmers in Igbo land.
Iwa Ji Umueri Oke-ebo will again bring together illustrious sons and daughters of the community, both at home and in diaspora and people from other walks of life to celebrate their shared cultural roots and traditions which fosters sense of unity and solidarity amongst the people of the area.
The festival will also showcase Umueri Oke-Ebo cultural heritage which includes traditional wrestling, cultural dances, masquerade display and other cultural activities which the community is known for.
All the quarters in Umueri, sons and daughters of the community, families, individuals, friends and well wishers will pay homage to Igwe Emeka.
IWA JI Umueri Oke-ebo will take place tomorrow at Igwe’s palace Udabor Otuocha Umueri and every parts of Umueri Community. This year’s event will be a unique one as the best yam farmer of the year(Di Ji) will be recognized, while some illustrious sons, daughters and some friends of Umueri community will be given chieftaincy titles for their outstanding contributions to the peace, unity, progress and development of the community.
Igwe Benneth Emeka, Oke- ebo The Second of Umueri, Ocheze Umueri , Lady Chinwe Emeka together with Umueri Royal cabinet and friends of Ndi- Umueri will converge at the Cathedral Church of Saint Gabriel, Umueri on Sunday,seventh September,2025 for Thanksgiving service to God for a fruitful harvest season and spiritual renewal of their faith.
OBIKE OBIKE
