From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
It was a day of culture, celebration of heritage and friendship in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. That day, all roads led to the expansive Aja-Amaeze premises, where Uburu people usually met to celebrate or deliberate on important issues.
The atmosphere on August 27, 2025, in Uburu was that of excitement and joy as the people celebrated their traditional new year, otherwise known as Isu Ava, and new yam festival, iri ji Ovuu.
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Indeed, the event was marked with pomp and pageantry. The rich cultural heritage of Uburu people was on full display in terms of content and character. Different cultural groups performed with the dexterity of professionals.
Come and see the costumes of the royal fathers, led by Eze Laz Umahi, PhD. They made profound fashion statements with their distinctive and stylish attires, some blending traditional garments with contemporary fashion influences. The residents and guests also turned out in resplendent attires. The community was aglow.
The large Aja-Amaeze premises, venue of the event, was filled to the brim with the representatives of the 14 villages that make up the community well represented.
The celebration began at 2.30pm and nature was at its best following light rain that was witnessed that day which the people said was very significant and indicated that they were really celebrating their new yam festival.
After the rain which lasted for 15 minutes, there was also light sunshine that spiced up the celebration.
Chief Odii David from Ihenu in the community, told Daily Sun that rainfall was an indication that nature was happy with the celebration.
“Normally, there should be rainfall whenever people are celebrating new yam festival and that is just what you have seen. The rainfall shows that God is happy with us and has approved this festival. This is why the rainfall didn’t last long.
“You can see sunshine after the rainfall. All these are indication that nature accepted what we are doing today and the sunshine is not harsh. So, we thank God for blessing this year new yam festival,” he said.
Petty traders and hawkers around the vicinity had great day with high patronage while the Uburu highway that link the venue was very busy throughout that day with heavy human and vehicular movements.
The climax of the event was the presentation of triplets (three boys) that were born on the eve of the celebration.
The presentation was done by HRH Lazarus Umahi, the chairman of Eze in- council. The presence of the triplets at the venue brought extra joy to everyone present.
Eze Umahi described the day as special and the triplets as great gifts to Uburuland. He added that the celebration was very unique.
Umahi said: “Today is a great day in the history of our people. It is a day we are filled with joy and thanksgiving to our maker, God Almighty for this opportunity to see another traditional new year.
“It is in commemoration of a day set apart to celebrate the new yam harvest and to grant the blessing to partake of it.
“The Uburu new yam festival is very dear to our heart as it gives us the opportunity to thank God for the blessings by giving us the king of crops, the yam.
“Ndi Uburu are known to be great farmers, cultivating crops such as rice, cassava, cocoyam, maize, melon, groundnuts, and many other cash crops, but none has ever occupied the place of yam in our values.
“The celebration of the new yam in Uburu is reinforced by the observance throughout the entire Igbo land.
“Beyond the new yam festival, there are also the other yam-related festivals, such as the Ahia Ji Oku and Njoku Ji, celebrated in different parts of Igbo land.”
In his remarks, chairman of the occasion, Chukwudi Ogbonna, commended the planning committee for organizing the event. He thanked God for keeping the people alive and bringing those outside the community who are from the area back home safely to celebrate the festival which he described as a binding force.
“We thank God for keeping us alive to celebrate this year’s new yam festival. I thank him for making our people to return home safely for the celebration.
“I thank the planning committee for the wonderful mobilization. The committee did wonderful job and that’s why everywhere is filled to the capacity”
.President General of Eweze Uburu autonomous community, Chief Odii Nicholas Enyi said the event was like a new year to the people and that it unites Uburu community.
“Today, we are all gathered here as brothers united with one love and the 14 villages in Uburu are well represented.
‘“it is a very important day for us. This year’s event is very unique because it has been very peaceful. We have recorded tremendous developments championed by our brother, Senator David Umahi, the minister of works.
“We also take recognition of the development strides of Gov. Francis Nwifuru whose projects are very visible in Uburu. We appreciate his contribution in this year’s event.
“So, today, we are celebrating and grateful to God for all the things we have been enjoying, including peace and unity. Uburu is a peaceful community that is in the hands of God,” he said
He opined that the rainfall that occurred during the celebration was an indication that the people are in tune with nature.
The traditional ruler of Enu Uburu community in the area, Godwin Akpandu, raised the alarm over the destruction of investments by renegades and called for local vigilante in the area to forestall the ugly trend.
He lamented that some members of the community who brought in their investments have lost the investments, describing it as worrisome.
“It is our collective responsibility to safeguard our community, we all have roles to play to ensure security of life and property.
“Things that have not been happening in this community before are happening now and we have to join hands and stop it.
“It is very painful that our children are bringing their investments home and the investments are being carted away by hoodlums.
“We are talking about bringing our investments home and some people are sabotaging it. This must stop. After this celebration, we are are going to have Uburu general meeting to plan for local vigilante against these things. We need security in this community,” he stated.
In his goodwill message, an illustrious son of the soil, who was unavoidably absent, Evang. Chimezie Obasi, said the event was to appreciate God’s abundant blessings upon the community and to be part of the new beginning. He encouraged farmers in the locality to remain steadfast so as to continue to enjoy the immeasurable blessings of God.
Ajakampu, as he is fondly called, said: “Uburu is the apple of God’s eye. Uburu men and women are enjoying God’s blessings in all ways and manners. We are celebrating the goodness of God.”
The post Cultural buoyancy: Isu Ava/Iri ji ovuu: Celebration of heritage, friendship, tourism in Uburu, Ebonyi community appeared first on The Sun Nigeria.
