My Neighborhood Watch #112- Reporting Event Around Us: The New Yam Festival day at Ifiayong Usuk, in Uruan LGA.

The New Yam Festival typically begins with a grand procession led by the Ekọọñ masquerades and their entourage, which includes drummers and other members of their crew. This group is then followed by men who have been initiated into the masquerade cult.

According to local tradition, the emergence of the Ndara Ekpo, a celebration of the masquerade, marks the official start of the festival season, which begins at dusk today (Tuesday). This is a deeply rooted tradition in the area.

During this sacred period, women are advised to remain indoors until 6 a.m. on Thursday. In contrast, only initiated men are granted the liberty of free movement and the right to socialize freely. These customs, passed down through generations, symbolize respect and discipline. They are considered a sacred law that unites the community.

In many local government areas, in Akwa Ibom State have been practicing this as part of their culture and tradition. however, these long-standing traditions have been eroded by the influence of modernity.

During this festival season, is the time that bond alot of families together, brought peace into different homes and foster lover in the community. This culture and tradition was pass to us from our ancestors who use to thank the great deity of Inyang Atakpo usually call the ndem Uruan Inyang Atakpo for her to bless the land and make it fertile for planting and having a very plenty harvest in return. This was the ideal practice by our ancestors. But today Christianity have changed most of those beliefs but the tradition still remains not as the usual sacrifice to the diety but as a festival in the community.

It is a celebration that people who have been initiated into the group will travel from far and near distance just to come and partake in the opening ceremony (the ndara Ekpo).

This is Mark by every woman been indoors for a whole day from 6pm on Tuesday to 6am on Thursday before granting access to the outside along with men who haven't been initiated into the group. If cought outside you have a penalty to pay. A huge one at that like;
1 she goat
10 tubers of yam
1 carton of beer
1 bottle of hot drinks..
Also during this season you don't fight of stand out to shout with your neighbors In form of having issues. Or you pay the same penalty mention above. That is one good thing about this time. Peace and harmony in the community that is what the festival offer and foster communal relationship.