03/05/2021
BENUE NEW YAM FESTIVAL OVERVIEW
Event Details
Event Title: Benue New Yam festival (BNYF2021)
CONVENER:
AKPERA AMBROSE EVAGRIN
Event Date(s)
------,--------, 2021
Venue
Stadium Gboko
Amount Requested
BENUE New Yam Festival
An idea conceive by the convener MST. Akpera Ambrose Evagrin,
BNYF holds at the beginning of the harvest period of the Benue Valley in early August. It marks off the border between
the Harvest period and the next planting season of the year.
It is a ceremony carried out by the Tiv people of Benue State. It is aimed at
celebrating and appreciating God for a bumper harvest and praying him for abundance
abundance in the next planting season. It features mainly
the eating of yam (the King of the arable stable food of the Benue (Tiv)
with palm oil prepared together with condiments such as salt, pepper
and other flavourings. The yam may be roasted or probably cooked
depending on the choice of the eater.
During this occasion,
Prayers are often said by the chiefs to the God of the land, dance and songs of praises e.t.c. the Benue New Yam festival is a commemorative festival
that brings together all the citizens of the village whether home and
abroad together. This occasion is often celebrated in the village square
where a lot of events connected to the ceremony are performed such
as the beating of the drums, dancing, eating and drinking and equally
extension of greetings or regards to extended friends and well wishers.
Food ( Pounded yam and Geger ) is brought generally is a tray and kept
virtually for all to take. It is eaten generally to everyone’s satisfaction.
Sometimes the yam maybe pounded or prepared in any other way. After
the celebration in the village square, the individuals go home to continue
the celebration in their houses. It takes two-three days for the
commemoration depending on the type of community and its leaders.
During this season, everyone is excited as there are lots to eat and drink
as a result of the new harvest season. Masquerades are also seen during
this festival as one of the excitatory sightseeing. Different kinds of
masquerades are seen dancing around such as ----------------------, e.t.c.
The New yam festival is really a long expected ceremony in the culture
of the TIVs as it marks the end of a hard labour and
strenuous season of planting and the beginning of an enjoyable season.
BNYF can contribute to economic diversification and profitability by increasing employment, improving basic services, and increasing economic equity between urban and rural populations.
BNYF can help people be more aware of their capabilities, perceive
new job and business opportunities and improve quality of life.
BNYF can attract local, national and international tourists and visitors.
BNYF would help to capture attention and promote attractions and infrastructures, make it possible to maximize and rationalize the use of certain spaces. Preservation of these spaces may result in financial benefits and dissemination of artistic and cultural heritages.
festivals like BNYF play a role in putting a region on the map and distinguishing their basket of attractions from other similar regions.
It can also result in social benefit such as increased community pride and enhanced community image.
