Ebem Ohafia Ancient Kingdom in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State came alive with colourful displays, drumming, and traditional activities as the community celebrated its 2026 Ikere Ji (Yam Harvesting Festival), marking the beginning of the annual harvest season.
The celebration, held on Saturday, September 19, also signalled the commencement of activities leading to the community’s 2026 Iri Ji/Igba Ekpe Festival.
Ikere Ji is an important event in Ebem Ohafia’s traditional calendar, during which the Ezie Ji, or King of Yam, alongside other yam farmers, harvests yams cultivated during the farming season and presents them in accordance with the community’s customs.
As part of this year’s ceremony, farmers harvested some of their finest yams and carried them to the stream for traditional washing, where gratitude was expressed for the harvest and prayers offered for continued protection and productivity of the land.
After the exercise, the yams were carried in a colourful procession through the three major sections of Ebem; Ezukwu, Ekeluogo and Ngbaga, accompanied by drumming, traditional displays and celebrations by different age grades.
Residents and spectators turned out to witness the procession as farmers proudly displayed their harvests before the yams were eventually taken to their respective storage places in keeping with tradition.
A major highlight of the celebration was the impressive harvest recorded by Chief Kalu Awa (Ọkoji Ọha Eri), who emerged with the largest yam harvest of the occasion.
Mr. Ndukwe Ukaike followed closely, while several other farmers also presented their harvests as the community celebrated their contribution to agriculture and the preservation of Ebem’s cultural heritage.
The activities were traditionally coordinated and packaged by the Publicity Secretary of the Ebem Ohafia Development Union, Chief Ifeanyi Okali (Okwuru Oha 1), in collaboration with relevant traditional stakeholders.
Okali said the celebration was not simply about harvesting and displaying yams but also about preserving the history and identity of the Ebem people.
“What we witnessed is more than the harvesting of yam. It is a celebration of our history, our farmers, our culture and the values handed down to us by our forefathers,” he said.
He added that preserving such traditions was necessary to ensure that younger generations understand their significance and are able to pass them on.
Okali congratulated Chief Kalu Awa, Ndukwe Ukaike and other farmers who participated in the festival, describing their continued involvement in yam cultivation as important to sustaining an integral part of Ebem Ohafia’s heritage.
He also commended the traditional stakeholders, age grades, youths, women and residents who participated in the festivities and urged the people to continue promoting their culture in an atmosphere of peace, unity and mutual respect.
Meanwhile, activities for the 2026 Iri Ji/Igba Ekpe Festival are continuing following the Ikere Ji celebration.
Nkwo Nzukoro holds on Sunday, September 20, followed by Eke Mbu on Monday, September 21; Ikere Ji Agwuwa on Wednesday, September 23; and Eke Agwuwa Ekpe Umirima on Friday, September 25.
The celebrations will then build towards the grand Orie Ekpe Ebem Ukwu on Saturday, September 26, 2026, when sons and daughters of Ebem Ohafia at home and in the diaspora are expected to join friends, in-laws and well-wishers for one of the major events on the community’s cultural calendar.
The Ebem Ohafia Development Union has called on Umu Ebem to participate peacefully in the remaining activities and support efforts to preserve the customs and traditions of the ancient kingdom for future generations.
