Festivals and holidays are integral parts of Igbo life. They are used to celebrate important points within the year.
On the first day of the harvest season, the Festival of the New Yam occurs. This day marks the new year and yam foo-foo and vegetable soup are served.
The 2nd day of the year is the wrestling match.
The festival is held to thank the earth goddess Ani and the source of all fertility.
The festival also celebrated the ancestral spirits. Yams had to be offered to them before any could be eaten by the people.
The old yams still left over were thrown out the night before the festival so that the new year could start with the fresh yams of the new harvest.
Info form chapter 5
On the first day of the harvest season, the Festival of the New Yam occurs. This day marks the new year and yam foo-foo and vegetable soup are served.
The 2nd day of the year is the wrestling match.
The festival is held to thank the earth goddess Ani and the source of all fertility.
The festival also celebrated the ancestral spirits. Yams had to be offered to them before any could be eaten by the people.
The old yams still left over were thrown out the night before the festival so that the new year could start with the fresh yams of the new harvest.
Info form chapter 5