Enugwu-Ukwu Celebrates 950th Ikpọ Ji Festival

On July 30, 2026, Enugwu-Ukwu observed its 950th annual Ikpọ Ji, a significant cultural event that marks the sanctification of the new yam, a revered crop among the Igbo people. This ritual, distinct from the later Ili Ji festival, emphasizes the importance of consecration before consumption.

The ceremony reflects the Igbo understanding of life, where farming is intertwined with morality and community obligations. At the center of this year's rite was Ọzọnkpụ Chief Sir Benito Macman Ozigbo, who was nominated by HRM Sir Ralph Obumneme Ekpeh, Eze Enugwu-Ukwu na Igwe Umunri, Okpalanakana Ukabia Nri IV.

Chief Ozigbo called for peace, unity, and loyalty to the throne, praising the monarch's wisdom and urging the community to resist internal divisions. The observance underscores the enduring values of the Umunri heritage and the moral economy surrounding yam cultivation.