Ebem Ohafia Announces 2025 Iri Ji New Yam Festival, Bans Burials, Weapons, Private Ceremonies During Period [See Date]

The Paramount Ruler of Ebem Ohafia Ancient Kingdom, HRH Eze Ukoha Kalu Ukoha (JP), has announced the programme of activities for the 2025 Iri Ji (Igba Ekpe) New Yam Festival while issuing strict directives to ensure peace, safety, and cultural sanctity during the celebrations.

The festival, a revered cultural tradition of thanksgiving and unity, will hold from Saturday, September 20, 2025, to Wednesday, October 15, 2025, with the grand Orie Ekpe Ebem Ukwu set for Saturday, September 27, 2025.

Festival Programme Highlights:

• Sept. 20 (Afor): Ikere Ji (Yam Harvest).
• Sept. 21 (Nkwo): Nkwo Nzukoro.
• Sept. 22 (Eke): Eke Mbu.
• Sept. 24 (Afor): Ikere Ji Agwugwa.
• Sept. 26 (Eke): Eke Agwugwa Ekpe Unirima.
• Sept. 27 (Orie): Grand Orie Ekpe Ebem Ukwu and the Abum Assembly of all Ebem indigenes.
• Sept. 28 – Oct. 15: Afor Nde Dibia, Final Afor Nde Dibia, Ikpa Onunu Akpan (traditional dance), Iri Aha war dance, Ekpe cultural society displays, and Okom Ebaa performances.

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The Abum Assembly will serve as a forum for all Ebem citizens at home and abroad to deliberate on ideas for community development and unity.

To safeguard lives and uphold tradition, the Ebem monarch issued the following directives:

1) Ban on Burials and Private Ceremonies: From September 20 to October 16, 2025, no burials, weddings, or private celebrations will be permitted in Ebem Ohafia. All such activities will resume from October 17, 2025.

2) Ban on Weapons: The use of knives, daggers, machetes, axes, and guns during the festival is strictly prohibited. Offenders will be handed over to security agencies.

3) Restricted Celebrations: All celebrations must remain within traditional venues and not spill onto tarred roads.

4) Procession Adjustments: The usual public procession will not be held. Instead, the royal train will move directly from Ebem Ujuruezie Palace to Abum Square for the main assembly and festivities.

The monarch emphasized that Ebem Ohafia is an accommodating community but will not tolerate acts capable of disrupting peace and order.

HRH Eze Ukoha Kalu Ukoha urged all Ebem indigenes to see the festival as a season of thanksgiving and self-reflection.

“The Abum Assembly is an opportunity for every Ebem citizen to contribute positively to the growth of our land. Let us avoid divisions and embrace unity. Let us love our neighbours as ourselves and remain our brother’s keepers,” he said.

The 2025 Iri Ji Festival, coordinated under the Ebem Ohafia Development Union (EODU), promises to showcase the community’s cultural pride while reinforcing peace, discipline, and progress.

Note: The Ceremony Will Be Streamed Live On ABN TV