By Caroline Erowofiuna
The people of Ogori land in Ogorimagongo Local Government Area have been urged to maintain peace and unity as they celebrate this year’s New yam festival.
The traditional ruler in charge of the New yam festival in Ogori also known as Osiako Idu, High Chief Moses Osiako made the appeal during the New Yam Festival at Ogori today.
New yam festival is a traditional ceremony of new yam harvest in many societies.
In Ogori, it markes the beginning of the farming season.
“Idu Ogengen” which is the new yam festival is the sole responsibility of the Osiako Idu in Ogori land . As such no one is permitted to see or eat the new yam before the Osiako Idu.” High Chief Moses Osiako stated.
He explained that the Osiako Idu is the first to harvest, cook and taste the new yam and declare to the community before anybody else can harvest their yams.
“Today is very significant because it serves as a medium between us and our ancestors, God Almighty and mother earth. As we all know, yam is a spiritual food and not just a staple food. Yam is a miraculous seed and only God knows how it forms into a larger yam.” High Chief Moses added.
According to him because of the peculiar nature of yam, rites must be performed to appease the land and the gods before yam can be harvested.
High Chief Moses said the day marks the end of the year and the beginning of another planting season in Ogori land.
Apart from yam that is being harvested the Osiako Idu noted that the day also allows for the planting of guinea corn.
