Apart from Christmas, Otite-Anam, is the most well-regarded festival in Anam, Anambra State. Otite also known as IwaJi (New Yam festival) in Igboland is celebrated in August every year.
Usually, the date for the celebration in Anam, Anambra West Local Government, Anambra State is fixed by Okpokolo the ruling age grade. They meet to examine the Igbo lunar calendar so as to ensure that it holds on the first Sunday that falls on the sacred market day of Eke. This year, it was celebrated on Sunday, August 7, 2011.
Apart from Otite, Anam people have other traditional ceremonies, like omume-oba, Mgba, Mgbaboku, oninu-ozu, ikpa unwu, nzireani etc. Apparently, Otite as the chief festival in Anam, involves lots of sharing, eating and drinking. It is a time to savour the best of egusi, nsala and ogbono soups garnished with variety of dried fishes.
The delicacy is to be eaten strictly with pounded yam; cooking any other type of food at this time is a no-no. It was once told that during the celebration in the past, visitors who gathered around a mould of pounded yam could not see themselves, until they dismantled it and started greeting each other. Aside eating and drinking, it is a time of paying homage to loved ones, especially to in-laws and parents.
According to Dr. Alex Asigbo, a senior lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University and an indigene of Anam “during the festival every titled man is expected to sacrifice to his Ikenga – Guardian spirit for protection during the farming season as well as solicit for the help of his ancestors. Children who have started their own homesteads are expected to send gifts of yam, fish, cloths and other items to their parents during the Otite. It is therefore during Otite that the gods and ancestors are called upon to taste the yam before mere mortals may start eating. This is called Ilo-Muo and it is a most sacred obligation which every titled farmer owes to the gods and ancestors.
Until the Otite is celebrated, no titled man may eat new yam.” However, that believe was described as a mere fairy tale by most. And reverend Fr. Cletus Okoye explained that Otite is not idol worship but still need to be Christianized to make it more acceptable to everyone. As the name implies, Otite (new yam festival) is a celebration of the King of all crops-yam. And Anam people cultivate yams in abundance; probably due to the alluvial soil they are endowed with, which is good for agriculture,. Little wonder, the people are predominantly farmers.
During the celebration in Lagos, Chief Udorji Okeke, the National Chairman, Anam Peoples’ Assembly while speaking about the importance of the festival, wondered why Anamites who cultivate the yams which most Igbos buy from various markets like Onitsha, Otuocha, Okoti and other places, to celebrate their new yam festival, should not celebrate it more than other people.
Apart from that, Chief Okeke said the celebration affords them the opportunity to think home. He reminded Anamites the importance of being their brother’s keeper. ‘The biggest service one could offer to his people and community is to empower the people; by exposing them to great opportunities, be it education, business etc. And offer financial assistance and advice to the best of his ability”. Asserting that with such attitude, wealth will be evenly distributed; making the people more prosperous both as individuals and as a community. He added that it was not lack of ability that limit people, but lack of opportunity.
According to Dr. Asigbo, every year in Anam, farmers experience yam glut. And regrets that as the goose that lays the golden egg for Anambra State, it is most surprising that issues of its development have always been reduced to routine Nigerian politics of double-speak; adding that even though Gov. Peter Obi has done what others before him could not do by starting a road project in Anam; that judging from the economic importance of Anambra West to the State, the area deserves more.
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