IWAJI (New Yam Festival) 2026
This is a notice to of all Ndi Igbo-Ukwu that HRH Igwe Alex Ejikemeuwa Ezeobidike Azike has scheduled the traditional IWAJI on Thursday, 13th August 2026.
Programme Of Events;
(1) Between 1st & 12 August, all Religious Groups, Churches Could Pick a day for the Symbolic New Yam Presentations To God at the Various places of worship.(“Symbolic ” in the sense that “IWAJI,” being essentially, a Traditional Thanksgiving Feast, appreciating God for life and health from the Period of Planting to the Period of Harvesting, with yam (the king of all crops) as point of Contact, our people appreciated God for blessing their efforts in the Farm. This time, many are engaged in various Occupations other than farming, in the same spirit of Thanksgiving, one presents not only new yam but also part of whatever one has realized from the God’s blessings in one’s efforts in whatever occupation within the period in question)
(2) 8th and 10th August,
The Committee In Charge goes round to weigh and collect the new yam tubers for the Competition.
(3 )12TH August, Idu Cabinet And Idu In Council Meetings for the last in Preparation for the new yam festival and Other Important Matters.
(a) Idu CABINET: 9am dot (No African Time At all)
(b) Idu IN COUNCIL:3pm dot.
(4) Note:
(a) As has always been the case, no part of Igbo-Ukwu holds any other event on the IWAJI DAY.( this year, 13th August 2026.) Otherwise, is sabotage and has its penalties.
(b) No Patriot or Respecter of this town eats the new yam here in Igbo-Ukwu before the Traditional IWAJI by the Idu.
(c) From the 14th of August upwards, Quarters, Villages, Wards and Communities within Igbo-Ukwu can eat and Celebrate the New Yam via Kolanuts rituals, Prayers and Merriments But NOT to REPEAT the Ceremony of Cutting the New Yam Idu did for the entire town on the 13th August.
Ekpere anyi buzi ka emume ji ohuru obuna na wetere anyi niine o dimma nke ahu na nke Mmuo site ugbua rue mgbe ebeghiebi na aha Jesus.
Ya ga zie.
Ichie G C Umeokwonna.
(Ezechukwu)
Cabinet Secretary.
