In the Igbo culture, farming is very important. It is representative of the tenacity and masculinity, as well as the social and financial status of those who own the farms. It is a generally rough task, which is why it is looked so highly upon by their culture.
Yams:
The main crop they farm is yams, which is also used to denote financial status. The amount of yams any given person produces shows how resourceful and powerful they are. In order to produce more yams, people often sacrifice chickens to Ifejioku, the god of yams. Because yams are such an important part of their culture, any bad crop season can ruin an entire family’s life. Those that fail are often seen as not strong enough, or possessing a weak chi. Yam farming is very difficult, as there are many steps that are necessary to keep the yams growing well and to prevent them from dying.
Other crops:
Some other crops include maize, melons, and beans, all planted in between the yam seeds. In this culture, all of the crops were not worthy of male planting, therefore women planted and tended to them when the rainy season started. These crops are not as important as the yams are, often taking a back seat in their culture. While still used as food and nourishment, no plant can come close to the value of yams.
Farming:
The farming season begins just before the start of the rainy season, when the farmers try to plant crops right before rain starts. They then have to tend to the tendrils and the various plants in between the yams, while ensuring the plants get a good amount of water. Some seasons, the rain is too heavy and it washes away the tendrils, often leading to death and disappointment in the tribe. They rely very strongly on the rainy season to be perfects, and if it rains too much or too little, their yield suffers.