THE SIGNIFICANCE OF IWA JI IN IGBOLAND: LESSONS FOR OUR CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY 

 _(A Brief Lecture delivered at the occasion of the Iwa Ji Ceremony of Edemani Amebo Ibagwa-Aka Autonomous Community held at the Palace of His Royal Highness, Igwe Prof. Ikenna S. Omeje; 2nd September, 2023)_ 

 By 

 Prof. Ejikemeuwa J. O. Ndubisi 

(Professor of Philosophy, Tansian University, Umunya, Anambra State)

Let me begin by thanking His Royal Highness, Igwe Prof. Ikenna S. Omeje, the Eze Obule II of Edemani Amebo Ibagwa-Aka Autonomous Community, for asking me to deliver this brief lecture on this significant day in our lives as a people. I feel very much honoured by this singular gesture at this first official Iwa Ji ceremony, since his coronation as the Igwe Eze Obule II.

Today, we have come to reconnect with our root. We have come to do what Igbo people all over the world are known for. Today, we have come to maintain our odibendi (custom), our omenala (culture) and also to promote our odinala (tradition). For the sake of clarity, odibendi is what is particular to a people; and that which is particular to a people can become people’s way of life, that is, omenala (culture). When the omenala is generally accepted and promoted, it becomes a tradition, that is, odinala . Odibendi, Omenala and Odinala are intertwined and interrelated and oftentimes taken to mean the same thing. The festival of Iwa Ji or Iri ji, as it is called in some parts of Igboland, is not only our odibendi but more so an omenala and most importantly now an odinala .  For the sake of proper records, yam (Ji) is said to be the king of crops in Igbo land; it is the staple food of Igbo people. Its importance can be argued to be so because of its versatility and the energy levels it brings to the body. Yam has a prominent place in Igbo land. Iwa Ji, therefore, depicts the prominence of yam in our cherished culture and tradition. It is one of the greatest festivals in Igboland. 

Socio-culturally, Iwa-Ji in Igbo land can also be said to emphasize a bountiful harvest. The dominance of yam as one of the most important crops in Igbo land has a long history that stretches beyond known memory. Iwa ji also represents a form of nzuko umu Igbo (the assembly of Igbo people) that links them to their ancestral roots. Such gatherings help to consolidate the three Os – odibendi, omenala and odinala, which are the fons et culmen (source and culmination) of the Igbo ethnic group. It also symbolizes the Igbo character of aka aja aja n’ebute onu mmanu mmanu (after labour comes the eating or enjoyment of the fruits or produce of such labour). The existential imports of Iwa Ji festival are numerous.  

Let me state categorically that the ritual of Iwa Ji in every Igbo community (either in the local community or in diaspora) is performed by either the King ( Eze Obodo or Eze Ani) or the oldest man or a respected titleholder. It is not done by anybody and as such, it is accorded the reverence that it deserves. The festival is a period when the King or the oldest man or a titleholder offers yam as a sacrifice to God in thanksgiving for His protection and for granting the people a bountiful harvest. It is only after the ritual of thanksgiving must have been performed that the people can begin to eat the new yam with joy and merriment.  Iwa Ji is a period of harvest, thanksgiving and appreciation to the Giver of all good things – Ezechitoke (the Supreme Deity). During the ceremony, Igbo people acknowledge the supremacy of the Being that holds every being in being. As it is customary and traditional in Igboland, Iwa Ji ceremony goes with varieties of entertainments, cultural dances, music, merriments, show of masquerades and the likes.  Consequently, we have gathered today to thank God for his benevolence and also to rejoice together as one big family.

For us as a people in this contemporary society, Iwa Ji festival is very significant and I wish to mention few of them:

1. Let me quickly state here, without prejudice to anyone, that odibendi, omenala and odinala are not evil in themselves as has been wrongly misconceived by some people. It is our attitudes towards them that can make them evil. In this 21st century, we MUST ensure to maintain our cultural identity; we have to showcase that that distinguishes us as a people despite our current divergent religious, social or educational backgrounds. 

2. No doubt, Iwa Ji is a period of harvest. It is a natural occurrence to harvest something after planting. It is against reasonableness to think of reaping without first making an effort to plant something. Consequently, this ceremony should help us to realize that nothing good comes easy; there can be no crown without a cross; there can be no Easter Sunday without Good Friday. Contemporary Nigerians, especially the Igbo youth, should be conscious of the fact that there is no shortcut to creation of wealth. Any shortcut in this regard is always short-lived, counter-productive and self-destructive. Experience has shown that all that glitters is not gold. Let this ceremony constantly remind us that just like the farmer who makes an effort to plant yam and then nurtures it till the harvest time, our people should endeavour to develop the spirit and habit of making effort to acquire wealth through genuine and legal means. Our watchwords should be: hard work, patience, perseverance, sacrifice, creativity, discipline, sense of responsibility, faith in oneself, proper organization and programming of activity, deep commitment, determination, courage, strong self-will, right focus in life, being proactive and being entrepreneurial.

3. Iwa Ji festival should serve as a unifier. Our people should use the period of Iwa Ji festival to maintain and restore peace in our community. We should make an effort to resolve any conflict within the community, umunna (clan) or families. We must realize that peace is a priceless commodity for an authentic human existence and as such, we have to do everything humanly possible to acquire it. We cannot work together as a people without peace. 

4. We must learn from the ceremony of today to always show appreciation for any good thing we receive from others. Just as we have gathered to appreciate the Supreme Deity for his benevolence, we should, as individuals, learn to appreciate those that have rendered good services to us in one way or the way. That the person is your brother, sister or cousin does not mean that you have a right to his/her good-heartedness without appreciation. Always remember to say ‘thank you’ for any good you receive from others. Remember, e kene dike na nke o mere, o mekwa ozo (when the mighty is appreciated for what he has done, he will do more). 

Finally, let us constantly remember, despite our religious affiliations, that a people without cherished custom, culture and tradition, is a people without identity. We have to maintain our identity as a people. As a proud son of Edemani Amebo Ibagwa-Aka Autonomous Community, I am happy to identify with my root. As I conclude this brief lecture, let me plead with HRH, Igwe Prof. Ikenna S Omeje and other stakeholders here present and indeed, all our good and respected people, to ensure that our odibendi, omenala and odinala are constructively revived and also to promote them in accordance with what is rationally permissible. As rational beings, we cannot but do that which is rationally permissible. For sure, we are the creators and promoters of culture within our locality. It is time to showcase to the world our cultural heritage! 

 Long live Igwe Eze Obule II! 

 Long live Edemani Amebo Autonomous Community!! 

 Long live Ibagwa-Aka!!! 

I thank you sincerely for listening!