IRI JI MBAISE 2026: CULTURE, UNITY AND HOMECOMING:
A People Celebrate Their Heritage and Remember the Road Home
By Eze Obilam.
On August 15, 2026, Mbaise rolled out the drums, broke the kola nut and presented the new yam as Ndi Eze, Ndi Ezeji, Ndi Nze, political leaders, professionals, farmers, in-laws, friends and well-wishers gathered for Iri Ji Mbaise 2026.
The central celebration, held at Oke-Ovoro in Aboh Mbaise, was more than a festival. It was a celebration of thanksgiving, culture, identity and homecoming.
“Onye na-amaghị ebe mmiri bidoro mawa ya, agaghị ama ebe ọ kwụsịrị.”
He who does not know where the rain began to beat him may not know where it stopped.
AN ANCIENT TRADITION, A SHARED HERITAGE:
Iri Ji is more than eating new yam. For generations, yam occupied an important place in Igbo agricultural and social life. The festival celebrates the first fruits of labour, gratitude for life and the beginning of another harvest season. Its enduring lesson is simple: we harvest what we cultivate.
Published historical accounts differ precisely when the unified Iri Ji Mbaise festival began. A 2014 account quoting Dr. Eze Ihuoma, then President of Ndi Eze Ji Society Mbaise, records village-level New Yam celebrations before colonial administration and associates the unified Ezeji body with the post-1976 local-government era. Another account by Hon. Eric Agwamba gives 1946 as the beginning of Iri Ji Mbaise, while acknowledging earlier village celebrations.
The tradition is therefore unquestionably ancient, while the precise institutional history of the modern Mbaise-wide festival deserves further documentation.
Mbaise today comprises Aboh Mbaise, Ahiazu Mbaise and Ezinihitte Mbaise LGAs, with its historical identity associated with the five clans of Agbaja, Ahiara, Ekwereazu, Ezinihitte and Oke-Ovoro.
KOLA, CULTURE AND DIGNITARIES:
The President-General of Ezuruezu Mbaise welcomed guests with the traditional presentation of kola nuts.
“Onye wetara oji, wetara ndụ.” (He who brings kola brings life).
Eze Nwaturuocha, Chairman of Ndi Eze Aboh Mbaise, played a central role in the traditional proceedings. Eze Sabinus Nwaneche, Eze Fred Nwachukwu and other royal fathers were recognised, while prayers were offered for peace, progress and abundant harvests.
The arrival of former Imo State Governor, The Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, CON, added colour to the occasion. During the day's engagements, he was joined by Prof. James Okoroma, Chairman of ADC Imo State; Engr. Rex Chikwesiri Okoro; Johncee Nwaiwu and other leaders.
Also recognised were Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi, Prince Alex Mbata, Sir Stanley Amuchie, Chief Joe Ehioma, Agalaba Ferry, Chief Felix Amadi, High Chief Chika Okara, Eze Charles Oguguo, Eze Patrick Abii, Chief Ahiakonu, Chief Onumigbo, Princewill Amuchie, Sir Ken Agbim, Barr. PGU Madu, Chief Chima Amadi, Sir Basil Maduka and Sir Steve Echeta, among others.
Chief Joe Ehioma and Agalaba Ferry served as Masters of Ceremony.
The diversity of those present reinforced one important truth: Iri Ji Mbaise must remain bigger than partisan politics. Governments and political parties will come and go; Mbaise remains.
A CALL FOR UNITY:
One of the significant messages of the occasion came from The Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, who discouraged quarrels over the organisation and location of Iri Ji.
It was a timely appeal. A festival founded on thanksgiving and brotherhood should unite rather than divide.
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”
And our traditional wisdom warns: When brothers fight to the death, a stranger inherits their father's estate.
Ndi Eze, Ndi Ezeji, Ezuruezu and other stakeholders should therefore seek an enduring framework that protects the collective heritage of Mbaise.
THE HOMECOMING CONTINUES:
The celebration did not end at Oke-Ovoro.
After the central festivities, The Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, accompanied by Prof. James Okoroma, Engr. Rex Okoro and members of the entourage, visited the country home of Sir Stanley Amuchie.
The entourage proceeded to the country home of Chris Anyasonwu, Agunechemba na Amumara, in Ezinihitte Mbaise.
They also visited High Chief Chibuike Nwachukwu (Chibike), where they were joined by Eze Reginald Amadi, Hon. Emeka Chinedu, Captain Iheanacho and other leaders and associates.
At the home of Chief Barr. Chidi Ojinere, the gathering included Engr. Rex Okoro, Eze Akaraka, Eze Sabinus Nwaneche, Chilaka Onyelaka of Umunama, Chief Okey Nzenwa, Ogbaturu Ehi, Ken Okoro and Chief Sir Chibuzor Enwereuzor, alongside other members of the entourage.
These visits captured the deeper meaning of Iri Ji: coming home, opening one's doors, breaking kola, sharing food, renewing friendships and strengthening community bonds.
No matter how far an Mbaise son or daughter travels, the road home remains important.
PRESERVING THE HERITAGE:
Beyond the festivities, Mbaise should preserve its history for future generations. Oral accounts, photographs, old programmes, newspaper reports and private archives should be documented and digitised.
The roles of Ndi Eze, Ndi Ezeji, Ezuruezu and other stakeholders should also be clearly understood, while younger generations should be taught the agricultural, historical and cultural meaning of Iri Ji.
A Mbaise Cultural Heritage Centre and Digital Archive could preserve this history, while the festival itself could grow into an international Mbaise Homecoming Week, promoting culture, agriculture, tourism and enterprise.
Ultimately, Iri Ji Mbaise should not be measured by who occupied the front row or controlled the microphone. Its success should be measured by whether Mbaise emerged more united after the celebration.
Let Ndi Eze provide traditional leadership. Let Ndi Ezeji preserve the yam traditions. Let Ezuruezu contribute its organisational capacity. Let historians document the past, and let our youths inherit not merely the dancing and photographs, but the meaning of the heritage.
The yam may be harvested individually, but the feast is celebrated collectively.
That is perhaps the greatest lesson of Iri Ji Mbaise.
ONE MBAISE. ONE HERITAGE. ONE IRI JI.
Happy Iri Ji Mbaise 2026.
Peace, Unity and Prosperity to Mbaise Nation.
By Eze Obilam
(CPS) to the Chairman, ADC Imo State
