AFRICAN CULTURE, THE OLDEST AND MOST CHERISHED BY AFRICANS.
Happy Sunday to all lovers of culture. It is actually good to be here.
Culture as we all know is a way of life of a particular people at a particular time.
For Africa, we can display a variety of culture that has already become our way of life. I love Africa, and I love the fact that I am a proud African lady. Though some may not be practice now, but what we practice as our way of life, we cherish them so much. But today, I am going to be looking at one that is also familiar to African people.
New yam festival. Yes, new yam festival is one of the most oldest culture we practice in Africa. Focusing on Nigeria in Africa, and the Eastern part of the country. The Igbo race. The Igbos celebrate the new yam festival in the month of September, some in the month of October and even November. But the month does not count. What count is how special this New yam festival is to us and even to our neighboring states.
At the beginning of the new yam festival, people gather at the Village square for festivities. Every family will bring out their yama from the farm. Actually, this is the period when yam is being harvested from the farm. When the big yams have been harvested, it will be prepared by either goat meat or chicken meat, depending on what any family can provide. Some families prefer to roast the yam to their test. Some times, masquerades are seen in some strategic places dancing and celebrating with the people.
After everything, the yam is brought to the market square in the village and the elders are meant to pray and thank the one that is called " Chukwu okike" meaning "the God of creation." Because they believe that He gives increase to the yam harvested. After the prayers, the yam is blessed by the elders and every one will begin to eat the new yam with celebration. The celebration is done in such a way that everyone will participate, whether the rich or the poor, no one is left behind.
When this is done, every family can begin to eat new yam in their different houses. Before this time of celebration, people don't get to eat the new yam because it has not been celebrated by the whole community. Some even see it as a no go area, because it has not been blessed by the elders of the land, and if seeing eaten the new yam before the time set for celebration, one is seen as a cultureless fellow.
It is good for me to share this great Culture of mine with you. Have a very good and beautiful month ahead.
Your comments will be highly appreciated.
By @adaezeinchrist