In a few days from now, the ancient town of Iloko Ijesa will be agog as the people are getting set to herald the New Yam season with fanfare.
A largely agrarian community, Iloko-Ijesa land has an age-long tradition of welcoming the yam season in special ways which include offering prayers for farmers, yam sellers and indeed, every citizens of the town.
Traditionally, there are lots of activities lined up culminating in the grand finale when the Owaloko, in procession with his council of chiefs get to offer prayers at the market square with the enthusiastic populace accompanied by the local drums and hunters.
According to the Chairman of the Iloko-Ijesa New Yarm Festival 2023 Committee, Mr Awotilu David, this year’s edition will be lot different from what it used to be. Lots of entertainment and cultural exhibitions by different ethnic groups such as the Igbo, Igede, Hausa and Fulani will be added to the package in a bid to putting the festival on the global map.
The plan for this year’s festival include cooking of yams in about five different routes that leads into Iloko-Ijesa. The grand finale will see the Owaloko procession dance to the Owaloko palace at the Iloko-Ijesa Market Square where pots of yams will be available for all and sundry.
There will be lots of fun, cultural exhibitions and other forms of entertainment. It sure promises to be fanfare
Worthy of note is the traditional fact that new yams cannot be sold in the Iloko-IJesa Market until these rites have been fully carried out and the Kabiyesi offered the iwure at the market square. This practice has been in existence for ages, and had been passed down to generations.
