2021 Edition Of Umuagu Community New Yam Festival Set For Oct. 3, To Be Streamed Live

CHUKA UBAH

All is set for the 2021 edition of the New Yam festival in Umuagu Community, Ibughubu, Umuchu town, Aguata Local Government area of Anambra State and the event, slated for 3rd October, 2021, will be streamed live for indigenes in different parts of the world to join in marking the festival.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the event is expected to commence from Saturday 2nd October, 2021, when the traditional head of the community, Ichie Peter Aginam, will harvest his first yam before the event proper on 3rd October, 2021, when he will officially eat the yam at the Umuagu Village Square. Other ceremonies will then follow in thanking God for guiding the community throughout the planting season.

The theme of this year’s festival is ‘Youths As Backbone of any Society’ under the chairmanship of one of the sons of Umuagu, Chief Emeka Ezeibekwe, who is based abroad and other dignitaries across the state. 

The Special Guests of Honour and speakers on this year theme are Engr. Sir Benchucks Amarube, Mayor of the Community and Ogbuehi Leonard Chinabu.

Other guests expected at the event are Ogbuehi Uchenna Nnadi, Engr. Martin Ifionu, Ogbuehi Adolphus Chinabu, Engr. Emmanuel Ezeibekwe including the Chief Priest of Umuagu Community, Chukwubunna Obiagwu. Others include the Obi in Council led by the traditional head of Ibughubu, Ichie Beneth Ijebu, Ichie Ayoro Mbachu, Ozo Ezeani, Ezendigbo in South African, Eze Martin Emechebe and a host of others.

Many programmes have been lined up for the event which include, traditional wrestling, dances from different groups, masquerade competition, tales and moonlights stories by the elders of the community and presentation of gift items.

This was disclosed by the Chairman of Umuagu Community, Chief Cyriacus Izuekwe, who described the event as unique because it will afford the community the opportunity to display their cultural heritage across the globe.

He said it would also afford them time to discuss issues about the community and come up with ideas that would bring development to the community. 

Chief Izuekwe explained that efforts are being made to stream the event live through the social media to enable their brothers, sisters, friends and well-wishers in Diaspora to watch the event and to showcase to the world the Umuagu rich cultural heritage.