Tenth International Conference on Religion & Spirituality in Society

Abstract

Yam (Dioscorea spp) is a tuber that is cultivated annually on a loamy, clay or humus soil. It is a common meal on the table of every household, consumed in different forms. In the Eastern part of Nigeria, particularly among the Igbo, yam is seen as the king of all crops, and is marked by series of rituals and conviviality beginning from the period of its cultivation (usually between mid-January and late March) to its harvest ( mid-August and late December). The crux is the iri Ji, which signifies thanks giving to the god of yam, and the beginning of a new era in Igbo tradition. In contemporary times, besides the cumulus of influence posed by neo-colonialism and globalization, the iri Ji festival has continued to grow in its popularity, particularly among the Igbo in diaspora who still show strong affinity to the age long tradition. Against the backdrop of its growing popularity and internationalization, any serious effort to analyze the significance of the festival must be situated within the context of Igbo cosmology and its widespread ramifications in the diverse Igbo climes. In a general sense, iri Ji (yam festival) constitutes a remarkable social symbol of unity, hospitality, fraternity and reconciliation in Igbo cosmology. Going forward, this study traces the origin of the festival among Ehugbo people, showing the centrality of the festival in their overall socio political and economic life. The study is essentially historical, using both primary and secondary sources of data to analyze the subject matter.