By Polycarp Ifeanyi
The Catholic Youths Organization of Nigeria (CYON), St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church New Haven, Ogbaru LGA, Anambra State gladly celebrated its New yam festival.
The event which was held at the Parish playing ground was presided by HRM, Daniel Nnaemeka the Igwe Afunwa Elota Nna of Catholic Youths Organization of Nigeria (CYON), St Francis of Assisi Catholic Parish New Haven.
It was a colourful event which attracted the presence of Parish statutory bodies, invited guests and friends who witnessed the celebration as well featured cultural exhibition, teaching about new yam, award presentation amongst others.
Performing New yam rituals, Igwe Afunwa elota Nna, noted that the new yam festival is Igbo cultural heritage which he said is being observed every year, saying that it is an avenue to appreciate God for the successful harvesting of yam plantation and other seedlings.
He expressed satisfaction over the large turn out of invited guests and Parishioners who graced the occasion, praying to God to grant them a safe journey back to their respective destinations.
He further explained that celebrating New yam festival is a means to reactivate Igbo culture which according to him dwindling away, even as he mentioned other benefits of celebrating New yam festival as a way of appreciating God for the gift of life and to partake in the blessing and mercy of God who created the world.
In there separate speeches, the Parish Chairman of Catholic Men Organization (CMO), Evangelist Emmanuel Nwode and his counterpart, Parish Catholic Women Organization ( CWO) President, Mrs. Francisca Nwokeji ” Ambassador of Christ” affirmed that observing New yam festival in the Church is a way to reactivate Igbo cultural heritage.
They also said that it is one of the Igbo cultures accepted in the Church, adding that it is observed in the Church in order to inspire people and recover their faith.
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