Yam, the Binding Force that Tethers Mbaise People Across the World to their Heritage- Prof. Oparaoji Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 8/15/2020: Professor Eddie Oparaoji declared that Yam (Ji), a plant species in the genus Dioscorea (family Dioscoreaceae) is the king of crops in Mbaise and indeed Igboland. He said this during a presentation at the Iriji Mbaise celebration of the Mbaise Association Delaware Valley (MADV), held virtually via zoom. The event which was declared open by the president of the association, Mr Obinna Nwadiko, with a welcome address, praising God for his gift of life, harvest and fortunes for members, relations and associates, was well attended.
Continuing his remarks Prof. Oparaoji said, the Iri Ji (new yam) celebration has virtually overshadowed the Ahiajoku festival which it was only a part of. In Igbo deity, Ahiajoku is the goddess that intercedes for and determines healthy and abundant farm yield- dominated by Yam and Cocoyam (Ede). But the celebration of Yam has taken prominence. He further narrated that “the New Yams celebration embodies the Mbaise/Igbo people’s cultural beliefs about nature, religion, family and labor in an agrarian setting. It also recognizes the role Yam plays in our socio-economic-religious realms. Yam is easy to cultivate, harvest and store. As a source of food, it can be prepared and consumed in several ways- boiled, fried, grilled, dried and powdered.“In traditional medicine, as part of routine medicinal gravy, it is used to stimulate appetite and monitor patient recovery progress, judged by the time to consume all 4 pieces of yam, conventionally used to brew various medicinal potions. Marriages, religious rites may not be accomplished without meeting Yam requirement. The role of yam in the economy of Mbaise/Igboland, cannot not be overstated. It has been used as legal tender- as a credible instrument of trade by barter, and a yard stick for measuring wealth, hence the Ezeji club, which is the equivalent of the modern day millionaires club.
To be conferred an Ezeji title one would show proof to the Ezeji club, that in his yam barn, he has harvested the requisite number of yams- at least 100 yam stacks (ekwe ji) comprises minimium total of 3000 new yams. They must be of different varieties and sizes known to cultivate and thrive in the area and not bought from the market.
One can also be an Ezeji by inheritance, usually the first surviving son of an Ezeji.”“There is no other symbol that runs through the life cycle of Ndi Mbaise/Igbo from birth to death, and captures their life and culture than Yam. This may be the reason why the Iri ji festival has not only endured but has also gone global and become a binding force that tethers Ndi Mbaise/Iike Igbo race all over the world cling to their heritage and culture.”Ezeji Prof. Oparaoji, then performed the “Iwa Ji” protocol, after which he tasted a piece of the new yam, and certified the 2020 new yam good for consumption.
MPR 