The Anambra State Government, through its Ministry of Culture, Entertainment and Tourism and Ministry of Local Government, Communities, and Chieftaincy Affairs, is set to hold the 2024 New Yam Festival on November 9 at Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka. Starting at 11:00 am, the event is aimed at celebrating and showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Igbo people to a global audience.
Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment, and Tourism, Mr. Don Onyenji, announced the event in an interview at his office in the Jerome Udoji Secretariat, Awka. He highlighted that this year’s festival, the second under Governor Charles Soludo’s administration, will serve as a gathering for Ndi Anambra to celebrate the cultural importance of yam, a revered crop among the Igbo people.
“Many Anambra families, villages, and communities, including those in the diaspora, have already observed their local New Yam Festivals. Now, it’s time for the state to celebrate together with the Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, traditional rulers, president generals, state officials, and the wider public,” Onyenji stated.
The commissioner noted that the festival is expected to boost local economic activities, promote tourism, and foster peace and unity. Among the highlights will be a competition to find the biggest yam cultivated in 2024, with the winner receiving a cash prize of one million naira, courtesy of the governor.
Festival attractions will include the traditional cutting and eating of roasted yam, masquerade displays, local government parades, and performances by various cultural dance troupes, all of which aim to offer a vibrant experience for attendees.
