The New Yam Festival is the most significant cultural festival unifying all the seven Igbo speaking States namely Abia, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers States of eastern Nigeria. Though there might be differences in the mode of presentation across the States, it however collectively represents the successful harvest at the end of a farming season which is usually between early August and early September every year. The natives are culturally and spiritually not permitted to feast on the newly harvested Yam until after the celebration rites of the festival.
It is a prehistoric celebration among the Igbos and has been consistent in all the Igbo tribes. This festival portrays the use of Yam as a staple food and an economic crop in the fiscal development of the Igbo tribes from the prehistoric times to the present-day development of the region. After the libation and prayers, the festival is characterised by dances, drums, costumes, and masquerades displays.
Igbo Community Coventry (ICC) organises New Yam Festival yearly as a means to promote the cultural heritage of the Igbos among its members thereby showcasing our glitz and glamour to the vast culture of Coventry and environs. The whole idea is to preserve our cultural inheritance and transfer them unto our young and growing population while being relevant and uniquely placed in the world’s cultural map.