Yala People in Cross River State Celebrate 2025 New Yam Festival
Yala People in Cross River State Celebrate 2025 New Yam Festival
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
A rich display of culture and tradition in Northern Cross River
The Yala people of Cross River State have once again celebrated their annual New Yam Festival, marking the start of the harvest season with colourful displays of culture, tradition, and unity.
Akahi News gathered that the 2025 edition, held across various communities in Yala Local Government Area, brought together traditional rulers, community leaders, politicians, youth groups, and cultural dancers in a vibrant atmosphere. The event symbolised gratitude for a successful farming season and prayers for abundant harvests in the year ahead.
Symbolism of the festival
The New Yam Festival, known locally as Ihi Onipipe among the Yala people, remains a vital cultural practice that underscores the importance of yam as the king of crops. Before the new yam is eaten by individuals and families, rituals and thanksgiving ceremonies are performed to honour God and the ancestors for sustenance.
Traditional chiefs led the proceedings, breaking the first yam to signify the beginning of the celebration. This act, according to community elders, represents both reverence and the hope of unity among the people.
Cultural pride and communal joy
Journalists observed that the festival was marked by traditional dances, masquerade displays, drumming, and feasting, with indigenes from far and near returning home to join in the celebration. Youths and women’s groups also showcased their talents through music, art, and storytelling, further enriching the festival’s cultural appeal.
Leaders who spoke at the event called on the younger generation to preserve the values of the New Yam Festival, stressing that it not only promotes agriculture but also strengthens communal bonds.
Looking ahead
The Yala New Yam Festival continues to be a unifying cultural heritage that attracts attention beyond Cross River State, positioning Yala as one of Nigeria’s communities with a strong cultural identity.
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