New Yam Festival in Wisconsin Unites Igbo Diaspora in Culture, Politics, and Community Spirit
By DSG Herald News
Wisconsin, USA – August 17, 2025
The New Yam Festival in Wisconsin unfolded as a colorful display of culture, politics, and community pride, bringing together Ndi Igbo in the United States to celebrate one of their most treasured traditions. The event, held under the leadership of Sir Israel Chimezie, President of Ndi Igbo in Wisconsin, drew community leaders, families, political allies, and cultural enthusiasts into a day of remembrance, solidarity, and renewed hope for Nigeria’s future.
At the center of the festival was Igwejiuba-Francis Ugorji, a respected member of the Rebuild Imo Movement and a prominent chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). His presence, alongside other leaders such as Dr. Henrietta Abili (Planning Committee Chairperson), Mrs. Pat Uduh (Director of Socials), and Dr. Chi Nwachukwu (Public Relations Officer), ensured the event was not just a celebration of harvest but also a stage for political reaffirmation and cultural diplomacy.
A Cultural Homecoming in Wisconsin
The New Yam Festival in Wisconsin carried deep cultural resonance. Known as Iri Ji in Igboland, the festival marks the end of the farming season and honors yams as the “king of crops.” In Nigeria, it is a communal thanksgiving to God and the ancestors for a successful harvest. In Wisconsin, thousands of miles away, Ndi Igbo recreated these same sights, sounds, and emotions of home.
The day opened with prayers of thanksgiving, followed by the symbolic breaking of kola nuts, roasted yams, and palm oil—rituals central to the festival. For many Igbo children born in the diaspora, these acts were more than a ceremony; they were lessons in history and heritage.
Young Igbo daughters adorned in beads, wrappers, and vibrant headpieces filled the stage with cultural dances that told stories of resilience and joy. Their performances reflected not only ancestral tradition but also the determination of the diaspora to keep their identity alive.
Masquerades, embodying ancestral spirits, added an air of mystique to the celebrations. For many, seeing the masquerades in Wisconsin was a reminder that Igbo culture in diaspora is not diminished by geography but carried proudly wherever Ndi Igbo gather.
A Gesture of Solidarity and Political Reaffirmation
The highlight of the event came when Hon. Igwejiuba-Francis Ugorji announced a $2,000 donation in support of the festival. He explained that the gesture was on behalf of himself and Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, the former Governor of Imo State, who was unable to attend because he was in Nigeria celebrating the Iri Ji Mbaise Festival.
The donation was more than financial aid. It was a statement of solidarity between the political leadership in Nigeria and Ndi Igbo in the diaspora. Ugorji used the platform to reaffirm that Ihedioha remains a central figure in their political orientation and that the ADC is committed to charting a new course for Nigeria.
He emphasized the urgent need to rescue Nigeria from bad governance, restore accountability, and build a nation where safety is assured, youth are gainfully employed, and women are meaningfully empowered. His words resonated with the diaspora, many of whom live with the constant concern for relatives back home facing insecurity, unemployment, and weak governance.
Cultural Benefits of the Festival in Diaspora
The New Yam Festival in Wisconsin also demonstrated the wider cultural benefits of diaspora celebrations:
- Preservation of Heritage – The rituals, dances, and masquerades act as a cultural classroom for children who might otherwise lose touch with Igbo identity.
- Strengthening Identity and Pride – The festival reinforces cultural pride, showing that Igbo heritage can thrive alongside American life.
- Community Bonding and Unity – It fosters solidarity across states and villages, creating a “home away from home” experience.
- Cultural Diplomacy and Awareness – Non-Nigerians in Wisconsin witnessed Igbo tradition firsthand, promoting mutual respect and multicultural integration.
- Generational Continuity – The festival inspires the youth to carry forward the values of yam—hard work, thanksgiving, and resilience.
Implications for Nigeria and the Diaspora
The festival highlighted how Igbo culture in diaspora is not just about preservation but also about advocacy. By blending culture with political dialogue, Ndi Igbo abroad reaffirmed their role as critical stakeholders in Nigeria’s future.
For many, supporting Ihedioha and the ADC represents a hope for restoration. For others, the cultural gathering is a reminder that even far from Nigeria, their voices and actions still matter. Diaspora communities continue to send remittances, support families, and engage politically, proving that their contributions extend beyond borders.
Conclusion
The New Yam Festival in Wisconsin of 2025 will be remembered for its rich blend of tradition, community spirit, and political reaffirmation. From Ugorji’s $2,000 donation to the cultural dances that transported participants back to Igboland, the festival symbolized the resilience of Ndi Igbo abroad.
It was more than a cultural gathering. It was a call for unity, a plea for peace in Nigeria, and a celebration of identity that transcends borders. For Ndi Igbo in Wisconsin, yam was not just food—it was a symbol of hope, resilience, and the determination to build a better future both in Nigeria and the diaspora.
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