Yam's significance to Ebira culture

Ebira farmers are excellent in Yam farming. Mostly done through non-mechanised (manual) farming in the south western part of Nigeria like Ondo, Ekiti and beyond, the yam farming has become a reputation for Ebira farmers.

Anebira are renowned throughout Nigeria for the primary occupation: farming which once provided employment for well over 95 percent of the adult population. Subsistence farming is labour intensive. Farmers rely on such implements as holes and cutlasses. The size of the family correlates to the size of the farm. Family hands are deployed in such farm routines as clearing, tilling, thinning, planting, mulching, weeding and harvesting. They are also crucial in the transport of excess produce to the markets the sale of which, is used to finance the education of the children, buy the farming tools, clothes, medicines and save for the rainy day. (The Raji Report)

Before eating and sales of the new yams commence every year, the new yam festival is held to celebrate its arrival. The Yam Festival is usually held in the beginning of August at the end of the rainy season. A popular holiday in Nigeria and Ghana, the Yam Festival is named after the most common food in many African countries. Yams are the first crops to be harvested. Farmers offer yams to gods and ancestors first before distributing them to the villagers. This is beleived to be their way of giving thanks to the spirits above them. The festival is celebrated with great feast and pomp.

After the festival, yams are distributed and the 'Big yams' are set for sales. Heavy truck loads of the tubers head for Lagos, Abuja and northern regions of Nigeria. Most commercial farmers look forward to these trips with high expectation. In some cases, disappointments arise due to poor harvest. This can be caused by drought or flood, which ever the case may be. The fortunate farmers always have a cause to rejoice.
Lagos Yam Market (Sales destination for Ebira yams)

The new yam is welcome by Ebiras who chant 'Osoo' at first sight. Prayers are said for an opportunity to witness another harvest year. Among women, it is a period for new delicacies. A dish of well pounded 'Iya' (pounded yam), Epe-Ipapara (Egusi soup) stocked with bush meat, fresh fish and a lot of red oil is promptly served to visiting family members and loved ones.

In many societies yams are so important that one can speak of a yam culture. Growing the tuber is associated with magic; the best ones must be given to the chief or king; in Ebira case, the Ada-Udi (head of the farmers' settlement) there is a series of myths connected to a divine origin; a farmer may gain a lot of prestige by growing the largest or longest yam; etc. (Wikipedia)

One of the most important Ebira marriage rites is the 'Isa ewere', presentation of Yam tubers, dried fish, palm oil and a bag of salt to the would-be bride family. The yams, usually of large sizes and a minimum of 12 tubers, are further distributed to neighbours. Much regards is given to the portion received by the neigbours even if it is just a small piece from the tuber. This tradition is to ensure the acknowledment of the community that the lady was legally given out to the husband.

In many cultures the yam is considered the most sensual of the tubers. Yam tubers can grow up to 2.5 meters in length (Huxley 1992) and weigh up to 70 kg (150 pounds). The yam has a rough skin which is difficult to peel, but which softens after heating. Yam skins vary in color from dark brown to light pink. The majority of the yam is composed of a much softer substance known as the "meat". This substance ranges in color from white to bright orange in ripe yams. (wikipedia.org)

Yams are a primary agricultural commodity in West Africa and New Guinea. They were first cultivated in Africa and Asia about 8000 B.C. Yams are important to this day for survival in these regions. Yam tubers can be stored up to six months without refrigeration, which makes them a valuable resource for the yearly period of food scarcity at the beginning of the wet season.