The ancient Omor Kingdom in Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State is set to burst into colors, dance, and cultural display this weekend as it marks its 2025 New Yam Festival.
The highly anticipated annual event, known locally as Iwa Ji, will be hosted by His Royal Highness, Igwe Chris Oranu Chidume, Eze-Anaukwu, Eze Igulube of Omor, at the royal palace on Saturday, August 23rd, 2025.
The New Yam Festival, one of the most symbolic traditions of the Igbo people, signifies thanksgiving to God and the earth for a bountiful harvest. It is also an occasion that renews the bond of unity among indigenes while reinforcing their cultural heritage.
For Omor, a community renowned for its vast farmlands and agricultural prowess, this festival carries even greater meaning. The kingdom, often referred to as the “food basket” of Anambra, has historically played a vital role in rice and yam cultivation, making the Iwa Ji not just cultural, but also an economic celebration of the people’s toil and blessings from the land.
This year’s celebration promises pomp and pageantry, with cultural troupes, traditional dancers, masquerades, and age-grade performances expected to thrill guests. The ceremony will also attract dignitaries, sons and daughters of Omor at home and abroad, friends of the kingdom, and cultural enthusiasts eager to witness the unmatched spirit of Ndi Omor.
Speaking on the significance of the festival, palace officials emphasized that the New Yam Festival is more than a feast—it is a reaffirmation of identity, resilience, and pride. It also serves as a platform for showcasing the rich traditions that make Omor unique among Igbo communities.
Igwe Chris Oranu Chidume, the host of the festival, is known for his deep commitment to preserving the heritage of Omor while promoting unity, peace, and progress within the community. His reign has seen a revival of cultural activities and an emphasis on sustaining the values that define the people.
As all roads lead to the royal palace on Saturday, anticipation is high that the 2025 Omor New Yam Festival will be a memorable showcase of Igbo tradition at its finest one that reminds both the young and old of their shared cultural roots and the importance of preserving them for future generations.
