Introduction
The New Yam Festival, known locally as Iri ji, Iwa ji or Ike ji, holds significant cultural and spiritual importance among the Igbo people. It is a festival dedicated to giving thanks and honouring Njoku/Ifejioku, the yam deity, and Ala, the earth deity, both of whom play crucial roles in agricultural success. The yam…
Ndi Anioma, like other Igbo groups, have long kept deep cultural and spiritual ties to Nri, an ancient aristocratic and theocratic kingdom dated from 9th century.
An important part of the connection was made possible by male and female ritual specialists of Nri, Okpala nshi (male priest) and Ada nshi (female priestess).
Eze Nri sent sent them…