A REFLECTION ON OBUDU NEW YAM FESTIVAL

New Yam Celebration is a day set aside by Farmers in a community to give thanks to the gods for the fruitful harvest and pray for more good harvest. Sacrifices were offered to the gods of the land but that has been abolished with the coming of Christianity as it is now celebrated in Christian way.

New Yam day varies from community to Community in Nigeria with different style of celebration. In Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State there's harvesting of Yams days to that day, Cattle, goats, Fowl or Ice fish are organized by each home depending on their capacity. Melon Cake is specially prepared and its the key food associated with the area on such day. Melon Cake has dignity and its preparation is allowed only on such days. It is judiciously consumed and if in excess it sends you to toilet and increases farting of the air. Everyone maintain a fair distance from known people that are professional in farting the air and if they must go closer handkerchief is firmly beside incase there is a released.

There's existence of Cultural dance , Masquerade and pounded yam is the delicious delicacy of the day. Gifts are shared, food is shared, Pastors hope is full, dogs get fats and fresh palm wine is cordially sipped. The preparations varies from home to home and individuals to individual. Some see it as just a day while custodian and culturally enlightened men attached so much value to it.

I remember vividly our preparations while growing up, our cloths were well washed, slippers neatly washed and buried in the box ,our hair well cut in preparation for the day. The eve of New Yam was full of teachings from the elders about our existence,It was a sleepless night to me as hope is high for the d-day. Early hours of the d-day i and my peers will gather put on the masquerade mask and show case some dance steps to entertain people door to door. We were appreciated with money or Melon Cake. By afternoon we were on our best cloths walking about in a guy way but very cautious of time to get back before 6pm, that was the limit of our freedom. That habit of celebration is still in me till date.

Today the style of celebration has changed, Children hardly put on the mask to make the day colourful, Food is not shared again because it will keep the waste bin worthwhile, No Elder still have the love to teach our children culture. Most people just know its celebration without understanding what it really means. Our culture is gradually dying before our wake. Most people now see some certain aspect of the celebration as main for the children or poor.

Cultism, Politics and witchcraft have kill the love for oneness in us. Non helping nature of influential elite has also kill the love for oneness. Struggle for land ,little piece of land has divided us. Non forgiving Nature has also separated us. All these resulting to the reality of an Obudu man rising against his brother. Tufiakwa!.

Listen, New Yam Festival connote Fruitfulness, multiplication, gratitude,Love and forgiveness. It is a period where broken hearts are amended, it is a period of seeking peace so God can accept your thanksgiving. It is a period where new members of the community are selected and empowered in their aptitude. As we celebrate this, i pray it Amend our hearts and kill the hatred embedded there in.

I pray the purpose of New Yam be fulfilled in our lives . I pray Unity upon Obudu, I pray Development upon Obudu, I pray for Love in our hearts, I pray for fruitfulness in our lives, I pray for Success in our endeavors, I pray for God protection upon us as we travel back to various destinations.

Long Live Obudu, Long Live Cross River State, Long Live Nigeria.  Above all Long Live the good people that have fought hard to keep the peace, unity and development of lives in Obudu. God Bless You.!!

MY NAME IS ZEDICUS PIRO AND YOU KNOW SAY WORDS NO BE PROBLEM