Ji – The Symbol of Hard Work and Prosperity
In Igbo tradition, a man is judged by the size of his yam barn. Yam is not just food; it is a measure of strength, wealth, and endurance. In the past, young men seeking marriage had to prove themselves by cultivating a successful yam farm. A large harvest meant they were hardworking and capable of providing for a family.
One of the grandest celebrations in Igboland is the New Yam Festival (Iri Ji Ọhụrụ). Before anyone eats the new harvest, the yams must first be presented to the gods and ancestors as a sacred offering. It is a time of music, dance, and feasting, where elders pray for fertility, good health, and prosperity in the coming year.
Ji is prepared in many forms, from simple boiled yam dipped in palm oil to the prestigious pounded yam eaten with rich soups. It is a food of resilience, symbolizing the hard work of farmers, the blessings of the gods, and the strength of the Igbo people.
